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OCEANA C 'UNTY 



PIONEERSMBUSINESSMEN 



OF XO-OAY 



HISTORY, BIOGRAPHY, STATISTICS AND 
HUMOROUS INCIDENTS. 



L M. HARTWICK and W. H. TULLER. 



Pentwatku, Mioii.: 
TKNTWATEll NEWS 8TEAM IMUNT. 

\r'M. 









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^ -J 



INTRODUCTORY 



OCEANA COUNTY, 1800. 

Although still in the infancy of its develoj)ment, Oceana County 
possesses many advantages and attractions not enjoyed by other 
counties in this great and growing State. It has passed from the 
critical lumber stage of its existence, and is now fairly entered upon 
a period of unsurpassed agricultural and horticultural prosperity. 
Washed by the waters of Lake Michigan, the heat of summer and 
the rigors of winter are modified, while the invigorating breezes 
from this great body of water fan the villages and country, sweep- 
ing away the germs of malaria, making a climate at once delightful 
and healthy. 

The surface is high and rolling, the soil rich sand loam, heavy 
clay loam, and light sand. The change from one soil to another is 
quite marked, and often in the same section all the different charac- 
ters of soils are to be found. In some localities gravel and stone is 
abundant, in others whole sections may be searched in vain for a 
pebble. There are several extensive lime quarries, from one of 
which, located at Shelby, lime of a very superior quality but of dark 
color, is manufactured. There are also several extensive clay beds, 
from which brick equal in appearance and quality to the celebrated 
Milwaukee brick, are made, the most notable, perhaps, being locat- 
ed upon the banks of Pentwater Lake, owned and worked by the 
Middlesex Brick & Tile Co. 

The aounty is divided by a range of hills running from the south- 
west to the northeast, making two water basins. From the south- 
eastern the White River, fed by numerous small tributaries, takes 
its way to White Lake, while the two bi-anches of the Pentwater 
River, North and South, flow through the northern and central 
portions of the county and empty into Pentwater Lake. These 
streams have been the lumberman's thoroughfare in the past for 
transporting millions of feet of logs from Oceana's grand forests to 
the insatiable maw of the great mills. The tributaries to these 
main streams usually find their source in springs and consequently 
furnish waters favorable for the propagation of brook trout, or 
salmon. The grayling, next to the trout, perhaps, the most highly 
prized by sportsmen, is native to these waters. In 1878 some en- 



10 OCEAXA COUXTY PIOXEEKS 

terprising sportsmen purchased and planted in several of these 
streams 2,000 brook trout. In 1880 9,000 more were planted and 
in 1881, 75,000. The result of their labors has been astonishing, 
and at the present time the streams of Oceana County furnish the 
most delightful fishing waters tor sportsmen. Trout weighing from 
two to four and a half pounds have been caught, and as many as 
lifty in a day by one person. With the gradual abandonment of 
the large streams by the lumbermen these fish are finding their way 
thither, and during certaui seasons are found in great numbers. 
The time is not far distant when these streams will have a national 
reputation for their fish. There are several small lakes in the coun- 
ty which abound with American pike, or pickerel, black bass, and 
smaller fish of the same specie. Also muskallonge, bull-head and 
silver eel. The banks surrounding these lakes are usually high and 
being thickly studded with beech, maple, pine, hemlock and cedar 
intermingled, form many romantic and jjicturesque places. Flocks 
of wild duck and other water fowl annually visit these lakes. 

The game of the county is of late years changing. Bear, deer and 
fox have fired the ambition of local sportsmen in times past. Sto- 
nes of succe.ss in hunting these animals are often heard. Few deer 
or bear are now found although the fox is still caught. Mink and 
muskrat are quite plentiful. Otter and coon are often found. Par- 
tridge has always been plentiful, and of late quail and meadow 
larks are beginning to fill the fields with their music. Squirrels were 
unknown to our forests until quite recently, but are now becoming 
a favorite game. Rabbits abound largely in localities. 

For agricultural purposes the soil of this county is adapted to 
the successful cultivation of a great variety of products. Hay, 
corn, oats, wheat, rye, barley and peas are as successfully raised 
here as in many of the southern counties of the State. Potatoes 
and all kinds of vegetables are grown in perfection. Owing to the 
peculiar character of the soil, potatoes are large, sound, mealy, 
smooth and clean skinned. 

It is perhaps the adaptability of soil and climate for fruit raising 
that has given this section its greatest reputation. The "Michigan 
Fruit Belt" is a strip of territory with a shadowy interior bounda- 
ry, in which peaches are grown with a smaller per centageof failures 
than elsewhere in the State.— (Michigan and its Resources.) This 
strip extends along the eastern shore of Lake Michigan from Ben- 
zie county on the north to Berrien county on the south, and being 
from ten to twenty miles in width. By an examination of the map 
of Michigan it will be seen that Oceana lies about midway between 
the northern and southern extremes of this belt, and it has the 
greatest projection into Lake Michigan of any portion of the State. 



AND BUSINESS MEN OF TO-DAY. 11 

From the'iayof the land" it has a most perfect atmospheric drain- 
age. These things, together with its strong soil, mark it as a local- 
ity peculiarly favored by nature for the successful production of 
peaches and plums. In the scramble for wealth through the ave- 
nues of tlie lumber trade which marked the eai'ly history of this 
county, the above advantages were scarcely noticed. A few per- 
sons, however, planted trees and were surprised to find them after 
a few years bearing fruit each season and of a very superior quali- 
ty. The experienced horticulturist would have noted the advan- 
tages described above, but the actual settler did not realize them 
until brought face to face with facts. Year after year told the same 
story until orchard planting became the order of the day and to- 
day thousands of acres are covered with thrifty growing trees. For 
fifteen years in succession peaches have been picked from the same 
trees by some of those who first planted orchards. During a period 
of thirty years there has been only one season when peach buds 
were destroyed by the winter cold. In 1889 the frosts of early 
spring destroyed the peach buds in that portion of the fruit belt 
that had for many years been relied upon by the commission men 
of Chicago and Milwaukee, known as the St. Joseph and South Ha- 
ven district, but Oceana County and a portion of Mason County 
escaped this visitation and a heavy crop was gathered which bro't 
good prices. Many a poor man with a few hundred bearing trees 
found himself at the close of the season the possessor of a good 
banking account. Fruit was purchased upon the tree in many in- 
stances for from $2 to $3 a tree, and the purchaser realized from 
25 to 100 per cent, on his investment. 

In regard to health, carefully kept records extending over a peri- 
od of 48 months indicate this to be one of the healthiest locali- 
ties in the United States. From tables published elsewhere in this 
work, showing population and deaths in the county, made from 
public records and reports by Supervisors required by law, it ap- 
pears that the rate of mortality for the county is .5.91 per thousand 
of population. Fever and ague is very rare; scarlet fever, diphther- 
ia and other contagious diseases seldom assume a malignant type. 
The source of the Avater supply and the natural drainage of the 
country undoubtedly contributes largely to the general good health 
that is here enjoyed. 

The population of the county is 17,000. Its assessed valuation 
as determined by the Board of Supervisors at its October session 
in 1889 is $3,440.82 1 . It has eighty-six school districts employing 
teachers, and four Union Schools. The school buildings as a gener- 
al thing are new, commodious, and furnished with modern appli- 



12 



OCEANA COUNTY PIONEERS 



ances. There are twentj' church organizations having church edi- 
fices. 

There is invested in manufacturing enterprises over $500,000 
capital. There are four banks, five flouring mills, and six news- 
IDapers. The Chicago & West JNIichigan Railway traverses the coun- 
ty from its southern boundary to Pentwater,its northern terminus. 
It has one lake harbor located at Pentwater repaired and main- 
tained by Government appropriation. The U. S. also has a Life 
Saving Station and lighthouse established at this point, and a light- 
house at Petite Pt. Au Sable. It has a fine large Court House 
building located at Hart, the county seat, and a poor farm in the 
same township, well improved, under a good state of cultivation 
and with good, commodious buildings. 

Standing uj)on the threshold of a new era in its development i\, 
presents three prominent characteristics that have attracted gen- 
eral attention and which will have great influence upon its future 
growth and prosj^erity. We refer to its fish, fruit and health. It 
has been known in the past principally for its lumber productions, 
but from this time it will be known as the center ot Michigan's fruit 
belt, the healthiest location in the State, and a favorite resort for 
sportsmen. 




HISTORICA.L. 



CHAPTER I.— NAME. 

March 2, 1831, the Territorial Legislature of Michigan passed an 
Act defining the boundaries of certain territory lying south of a line 
between towns 12 and 13 north, and gave to the territory there 
designated the name Oceana. This is the first public record of the 
State whei'eiu this name appears, although we find evidence of its 
being used to designate certain undefined territory of Michigan pri- 
or to this Act of the Legislature. Who selected the name, or its sig- 
nification, can only be conjectured. 

It has been generally understood to denote the "watery location" 
of this territory. Charles R. Brown, in his Government of Michigan 
published in 1874 (page 30) gives the above as the origin of the 
name. Page's History of Oceana County, published in 1882, says: 
"This county received its name 'Oceana' in 1831, when it w^as laid 
out by the Territorial Legislature. As the name signifies 'lying 
alongside the ocean,' it may have been named from its position on 
the great Ocean of Waters in Lake Michigan." (Page 93.) It also 
says "that while it included its j^resent limits it was much more ex- 
tensive." (Page 69.) The above appears to have been the accept- 
ed idea of the origin and signification of the name, although we have 
been unable to find any authority in.supijort of it except the mere 
fact that old settlers became impressed with the idea and gave it as 
the explanation. This much we do know, the name XJi'eceded to 
this section any of the pioneers now living in the county. An inter- 
esting fact in the study of this subject is the evident delusion that 
Brown, Page, and even the old settlers labored under as to the lo- 
cality to Avhich this name applied. All seem to have taken it for 
granted that it was first used to designate territory including that 
to which it now applies. By reference to Territorial Acts of 1831, 
page 872, Sec. 8, it will be seen the name was given to territory ly- 
ing south of this and including territory that at present forms four 
towns in Montcalm County, eight towns in Kent, eight in Newaygo, 
four and a fractional town in Muskegon, but did not include any of 
the territory now embraced in Oceana County. The territory orig- 
inally named Oceana embraced 834 square miles with only 17 miles 
of shore line. The ijresent county has 582 square miles with 35 



16 OCEANA COUNTY PIONEERS 

miles of shore line. The most important point of the former in 
early times was interior; of the latter, the shore. Hence the reason 
"watery location" in the light of these facts loses much of its force. 
A5ain, while Lake Michigan is one of the largest inland bodies of 
water in the world, it has never been designated an ocean. There 
is no place similarly situated on the ocean bearing the same name, 
to suggest it. There is a small inland village in West Virginia 
named Oceana, but it has ei post helium history, and is more likely 
to have been named from thitj county, or from a similar cause. 

It is possible that the name has an entirely different origin and 
signilication. Without attempting at this time to settle the ques- 
tion, we will simply give further details w itli reference to this name, 
and leave it to the reader to draw his or her own conclusions. 

The word Oceana was coined and first used by one James Har- 
rington, a distinguished writer on the philosophy of government, 
who was born in Rutlandshire, in 1(311. He was carefully educat- 
ed and having completed a course in Trinity College, Oxford, he 
traveled extensively, returning to England in 1646, when he was 
named as one of the grooms of the bed-chamber to Charles I, who 
■was at that time being conveyed south from Newcastle as a prison- 
er of Parliament, Though republican in his ideas, he secured the 
confidence and respect of the King, who showed strong personal re- 
gard for him. On the removal of Charles to the Isle of Wight, Har- 
rington was prevented from accompanying him, and was for a short 
time put in confinement because he would not swear to refuse as- 
sistance to the King should he attempt to escape. His feelings of 
respect also led him to accompany Charles to the scaffold the fol- 
lowing year. — (See Ency. Brit.) 

After Charles' death Harrington composed a work ujpon the the- 
ory of state. While this work was of the nature of a romance, it 
embodied his peculiar ideasof government. In this work he gaveto 
an imaginary country the name of Oceana, and also entitled his book 
Oceana. His views were well known and pleased neither royalists 
nor republicans, and Cromwell, who was in the ascendency at that 
time, learning of the intended publication, caused the manuscript 
to be seized as it was passing through the press. Harrington, how- 
ever, managed to secure the favor of the Protector's favorite 
daughter, Mrs. Claypole, through whose influence the work was re- 
turned to him, and which lie published in 1656, dedicated to Crom- 
well.— (Ency. Brit.) 

This work "Oceana," and the treatises, papers and pamphlets in 
support and defense of it, embodied the author's idea of a model 
commonwealth. The ideas were discussed and criticised. A club 
for the propagation of them called the "Rota," was formed. This 



AXD BUSINESS MEN OF TO-DAY. 17 

caused Harrington's arrest by order of Charles II, on the charge of 
conspiracy. He was never brought to trial, however, and was 
finally removed bj^ his friends to a small island, where in 1677 he 
died. For ten or more years following the publication of this work 
it engrossed the attention of statesmen and priests, not only of 
England but ot France, ajid many of the ideas therein exiDressed 
have since been adopted by governments. 

It was while the public attention of England and France was en- 
gaged in discussing this work that the young Jesuit Missionary, 
Jaques Marquette, of Laan, France, was preparing for his trip to 
America to establish missions for the Society of Jesus. As he was 
about to visit a country that possessed but crude notions of gov- 
ernment, and as one of his objects was the civilization of savages 
and bringing them under thecontrol and protection of law, it would 
be quite natural for him to take with him such published works on 
the theory of government as he desired, and it is not imj)robable 
that "Oceana" was among his efiects. He arrived in Canada in 
1666. In 1668 he founded the mission of Sault Ste. Marie, on Lake 
Superior, followed the Hurons to Mackinaw in 1671, and in 1673 
in companjr with Louis Joliet, a native of Quebec, started on his 
famous mission of discovery. The history of his trip from St. Ig- 
nace to Gi'een Bay, up the Fox River, through Lake Winnebago, 
thence to Portage, across the watershed to the Wisconsin, from 
this to the Missis.sippi, down this to the mouth of the Arkansas, 
back to the Ilhnois, up the Chicago, and finally back to Green Bay, 
is familiar. AloO how, in the spring of 1675 he started along the 
eastern shore of Lake Michigan, suffering in the last stages of con- 
sumption, with only two white companions and a company of na- 
tives, stopping at places where inland waters connected with Lake 
Michigan, until finally on the evening of May J 9, 1675, he landed 
and encamped on the banks of the stream just twelve miles north 
of Pentwater that i« now known as the Pere Marquette. Here he 
died and was buried, after having been only nine years in America. 
The stream upon the banks of which his remains were interred, 172 
years after the event, in commemoration of hmi was given his 
name. 

Who knows but that the word Oceana, which must have been as 
familial' to him as any word of his language, and signifying many of 
the ideas of government he taught his followers, with his name and 
memory has been transmitted from generation to generation, until 
finally it is selected to mark a locality intimately associated with 
the closing hours of his life. If this last supposition should prove 
true, Oceana means "a model commonwealth." 



CHAPTER II. 



EARLY HISTORY. 



The history of Oceana County from the earliest period of which we 
have authentic information to the iDresent time, is the history of toil, 
X)rivation, hardship and physical suffering i^eculiar to the develop- 
ment of a new country. In many respects the history of the settle- 
ment of one county in Michigan is so similar to that of another 
that a mere change of names and dates is all that is necessary to 
have a record of both. Prior to the year 1855, our information 
concerning thB^locality now known as Oceana County is of a very 
meager and unsatisfactory character. There is little doubt but 
that as early as 1615 Lake Michigan had been visited by French 
explorers. In 1668 Pere Marquette and Pere Claude Dablon found- 
ed a mission at Sault Ste. Marie. In 1671 they established one at 
St. Ignace. In 1673 Father Marquette explored a stream on the 
eastern shore of Lake Micliigan to which he gave the name St. Jo- 
seph. In April, 1675, he with two white companions and some na- 
tives left the Illinois River in canoes, and coasted along the eastern 
shore, stopping at places where the inland waters connected with 
Lake Michigan, until the 19th of May, when, being greatly enfeebled 
by the ravages of consumption, he made a landing just twelve miles 
north of Pentwater and encamped on the banks of the stream 
known among the natives as the Not-a-pe-ka-gon, meaning "river 
Avith heads on sticks." Here he died and was buried, and after 
many years his remains were removed to St. Ignace, where they 
now repose. The river thus made historic, was over a century and 
a half after his death, named the Pere Marquette, by which name 
it is now known and designated on the maps of the State. 

From the death of Pere Marquette until the year 1831 we find 
but little among public records concerning this territory. The lit- 
tle we do find is of a character tending to delay rather than stimu- 
late development. May 6, 1812, Congress passed an Act requiring 
that 2,000,000 acres of land should be surveyed in the then Terri- 
tory of Louisiana, and a like quantity in the Territory of liUnois 
north of the Illinois River, and the same quantity in the Territory 
of Michigan, in all 6,000,000 acres, to be set apart for the soldiers 



AND BUSINESS MEN OF TO-DAY. 1^ 

of the war with Great Britain. The following is the Surveyor Gen- 
eral's report that relates to Michigan: 

"The country on the Indian boundary line, from the mouth of 
the great Auglaize River, and running thence for about fifty miles, 
is (with some few exceptions) low, wet land, with a very thick 
growth of underbrush, intermixed with very bad marshes, but gen- 
erally very heavily timbered Avith beech, cottonwood, oak, etc.;. 
thence continuing north, and extending from the Indian boundary 
eastward, the number and extent of the swamps increases, with the 
addition of numbers of lakes, from twenty chains to two and three 
miles across. Many of the lakes have extensive marshes adjoining 
their margins, sometimes thickly covered with a species of pine call- 
ed 'tamarack,' and other places covered with a ooai'se, high grass, 
and uniformly covered from six inches to three feet (and more at 
times) with water. The margins of these lakes are not the only 
places where swamps are found, for they are interspersed through- 
out the whole country, and filled with water, as above stated, and 
varying in extent. The intermediate space between these swamps 
and lakes, which is probably near one-half of the country, is with a 
very few exceptions, a poor, barren, sandy land, on which scarcely 
any vegetation grows, excei:)t very small, scrubby oaks. In many 
places, that part which may be called dry land is composed of lit- ' 
tie, short sand-hills, forming a kind of deep basins, the bottoms of 
many of which ai'e composed of a marsh similar to the above de- 
scribed. The streams are generally narrow, and very deep, com- 
pared with their width, the shores and bottoms of which are (with 
a very few exceptions) swampy beyond description; and it is with 
the utmost difficulty that a jjlace can be found over which horses 
can be conveyed in safety. 

A circumstance peculiar to that country is exhibited in many of 
the marshes by their being thinly covered with a sward of grass, by 
walking on which evinced the existence of water, or a very thin mud 
immediately under their covering, which sinks from six to eighteen 
inches from the j)ressure of the foot at every step, and at the same 
time rising before and behind the person passing over. The mar- 
gins of many of the lakes and streams are in a similar situation, 
and in many places are literally afloat. On approaching the east- 
ern part of the military lands, toward the private claims on the 
straights and lake, the country does not contain so many swamps 
and lakes, but the extreme sterility and barrenness of the soil con- 
tinues the same. Taking the country altogether, so far as has been 
explored, and to all appearances, together with the information re- 
ceived concerning the balance, is so bad there would not be mor& 



20 OCEANA COUNTY PIONEERS 

than one acre out of a hundred, if there would be one out of a thou" 
sand that would in any case admit of cultivation." 

This report was so unfavorable that the 29th of April, 1816, 
Congress passed an an act repealing so much of the law of the 6th 
of May, 1812, as related to Michigan and provided for the taking 
of 1,500,000 acres in Illinois north of the Illinois River, and 500,000 
acres in the Territory of Missouri in lieu of the 2,000,000 acres 
that could not be found in Michigan. 

The effect of this report was such as to retard immigration to 
Michigan for many years, and to give the Territory a reputation 
for barrenness, sterility and a malaria infected atmosphere, that 
to this day remains unchanged in the minds of many residents of 
the Eastern States. The early western Pioneer shunned Michigan 
as he would a pestilential country, and after being forced by a coni- 
bination of circumstances, accidents, etc., some settled in the south- 
ern i^ortion of the State, and finding the Surveyor General's report 
erroneous as regards that portion, in all their conversation and 
letters back to friends confirmed and strengthened the report as re- 
gards the more northern portion of the State. Hence it was that 
the tide of development moved north but slowly. 

The fine forests of timber located near the shore of the great lake 
first attracted the attention of lumbermen, and prior to 1831 a 
few white men visited this locality to determine the value of its tim- 
ber tracts and afterwards, in about the year 1848, due to similar 
influences, the first attempt to make a permanent settlement was 
made. In 1831 a person by the name of G. W. Rodebough, now a 
resident of Jackson, Michigan, under authority of Governor Cass, 
visited this section for the purpose of taking the census of the In- 
dians. He is probably the only white person living who can trace 
his visit to this county as far back as 1831. 




CHAPTER III. 



BOUNDARIES ESTABLISHED. 

As intimated in the preceding chapter, the locality now designat- 
ed upon the map of Michigan as Oceana County, is not the locality, 
nor does it embrace any of the territory of Oceana County as orig- 
inally defined by the Territorial Legislature. By an Act j)assed 
March 2, 1831, the boundaries of Oceana were defined as follows: 
"Beginning at the point where the line between ranges eight and 
nine west intersects the line between townships eight and nine north; 
thence west to the line between ranges twelve and thirteen; thence 
north to the line between townships ten and eleven; thence west to 
the shore of Lake Michigan; thence north on the shore of said lake 
to the line between townships twelve and thirteen; thence east to 
the line between ranges eight and nine; thence south to the place of 
beginning, be and the same is hereby set off into a separate county 
by the name of Oceana." In 1838 the Gazeteer of Michigan, pub- 
lished by John T. Blois, and which the Legislature gave the charac- 
ter of an official publication by ordering the purchase of three hun- 
dred copies, thus bounds Oceana County: "Bounded on the north 
by the County of Mackinac; on the east by Montcalm; on the south 
by the counties of Kent and Ottawa, and west by Ottawa and Lake 
Michigan." This agrees with the Act of 1831, and at the same time 
shows that the territory now embraced in Oceana County was at 
that time included in Mackinac. 

It appears that many who came from Milwaukee and other points 
seeking Oceana County, by chance or direction following the shore 
pushed through the narrow end and located in Mackinac county, 
supposing that they were in Oceana. That trouble occurred by 
reason of this is evident, as wo find the Legislature on March 28, 
1850, passing an Act as follows: "All that portion of Oceana Coun; 
ty not embraced within the limits of White River in said county, 
and all the County of Mason be and the same is hereby attached to 
the township of White River." From the wording of the above, it 
is doubtful if the Legisture at this time understood the situation, 
as the Act is ineffectual to attach the territory intended to be cov- 
ered. 

Feb. 13, 1855, an Act was passed reading as follows, viz.: "The 



24 OCEANA COUNTY PIONEEKS 

county of Oceana shall be organized and shall comprise town- 
ships thirteen, fourteen, fifteen and sixteen north of each of the 
ranges numbered fifteen, sixteen, seventeen and eighteen west, and 
the fractional townships numbered thirteen, fourteen and fifteen 
north of range nineteen west," thus defining the boundaries of the 
county as it exists at this time. By tlie same Act the following ap- 
pears; "Three townships are hereby erected in the county of Oce- 
ana to be called Pentwater, Stony Creelc and Claybanks. The 
township of Pentwater shall comprise all of said county of Oceana 
lying nortli of the division line between townships fifteen and six 
teen north, and the first township meeting tlierein shall be lield at 
the house of Edwin E. Cobb; the township of Stony Creek shall 
comprise so mucli of tlie territory'' of said county as lies south of 
said townsliip of Pentwater and north of the division line between 
townships tliirteen and fourteen north, also sections one, two, 
tliree, four, five and six of township tliirteen north of range eight- 
een west, and tlie first townsliip meeting therein shall be held at the 
house of Mr. Wlieeler at the Stony Creek mills, so called. The 
township of Claybanks shall comprise tlie remaining portion of the 
territory of said county of Oceana, and the first township meeting 
therein shall be held at the house of John Barr." 

From the time of the organization of the township of Stony Creek 
the name selected by A. R. Wheeler for the Post Office, i. e.,Benona, 
was used by the people to designate thetownship, and in Feb., 1857, 
by Act of the Legislature, the name of the township was changed 
from Stony Creek to Benona. 

1857 — Dec. 28, the Board of Supervisors ordered the organiza- 
tion of the town of Greenwood by taking what is now Greenwood 
from Claybanks and what is nowNewfield from Benona. Also that 
of Elbridge by taking what is now Leavitt, Elbridge, Hart and 
Golden from Benona. 

1860 — Feb. Otto was ordered to be organized by taking from 
Claybanks its j^resent territory, and from Benona what is now Fer- 
ry. Weare was at this time ordered organized out of territory that 
now comprises the towns of Crystal and Colfax, and what is now 
Golden and Hart was taken from Elbridge and ordered organized 
as Hart. 

1862 — Feb. Benona was divided, and that portion now known 
as Benona was ordered organized as Leroy, and the portion now 
known as Shelby I'etained the townshii) organization and name of 
Benona. 

1864— Aug. Golden was ordered organized out of Hart. 

1865 — July. Crystal was ordered organized, taking from Weare 
■what is now Crystal and Colfax. 

1866 — March. Newfield was ordered organized, taking the north 



AND BUSINESS MEN OP TO-DAV. 25 

half of Greenwood territory. The town of Grant was ordered taken 
from Claybanks, and Leavitt from Elbridge. 

1867— March 1. By Act of the Legislature the name of Leroy 
was changed to Benona, and Benona to Shelby. 

1868 — Oct. Reed township was ordered taken from Otto, and 
Colfax from Crystal. 

1869 — March 16. By Act of the Legislature the name of Reed 
township was changed to Ferry. 

1869 — April. Township of Colfax was organized out of the terri- 
tory of Crystal. 

At the session of the Board of Supervisors of Dec. 28, 1858, Jas. 
Hanlon, Elmer H. Lord, Halvar H. Brady, A. Brady, T. Brady, 
Carl Schenck, H. Hendrickson, O. E. Gordon, E. Brich, P. Bentson, 
L. D. Eaton, L. N. Curtis, Jacob ^^isher and Martin Tyson petition- 
ed the Board to set off to the town of Claybanks Sees. 1, 2, 3, 4. 5 
and 6 of Benona. As this would make Claybanks the full town 13 
north of 18 west, the petition appeared reasonable and just, and 
the members at once voted unanimously to comply with the re- 
quest. When the Board convened again in the afternoon of the 
same day, objections to annexing Sec. 6 to Claybanks were quite 
manifest, Benona not caring to lose so valuable a taxation clistrict, 
and on motion to reannex it to Benona it carried, Alex. S. Ander- 
son alone voting against the proposition. This closes the record of 
the establishment of the boundaries of county and townships. 




CHAPTER IV. 



1831 TO lSo5. 

This territory remained an unbroken wilderness seldom visited 
by a white man, unless in the Government employ, and then his 
work was to simply scan the country from the deck of a vessel and 
reporting from the vague impressions thus received. In 1840 by 
Act of the Legislature this territory was attached to Ottawa for 
judicial purposes, but it was several years before a white settler lo- 
cated to take advantage of the Act. In 1848 two white men, "Dr. 
Phillips and Mr. Hanson, took a look at the land along the beach, 
with a view of locating lands, and they chose the jposition on the 
clay-banks, on which their farms are now situated, for four reasons: 
First, it was on the beach, where all travel was; second, there ex- 
isted an Indian trail from the head of White Lake into what is now 
J. D. S. Hanson's farm; then the land was a heavy clay loam and 
remarkably fertile, and there were old Indian clearings altogether 
of 200 or 300 acres in extent, in patches from half an acre to two 
or three acres. Accordingly, in 1849, settlement began, so that at 
the close of that year there were six families and several single men 
on the Claybanks, which formed the nucleus of the settlement of 
Oceana county. Of these the first band were: C. B. Clements and 
wife, Asa C. Haggertyand wife, Alex. Pelett and wife. These are all 
dead or removed but the wife of C. B. Clements, now the wife of 
Thomas Byrne, himself among the earliest settlers, and still living 
on the old John Barr farm. Mrs. Olive Byrne is therefore the old- 
est settler, and is considered a truthful and intelligent lady. A. C. 
Haggerty died in 1874; C. B. Clements went away, and, it is said, 
was killed in the war. The first settlement was then in April, 1849; 
next came Dr. Phillips and wife, and his father and mother in June, 
A. W. Langworthy, in July; Richard E. Cater, in August; James 
O'Hanlon, in September; Alex. S. Anderson, in November or De- 
cember, all in 1849. Then followed James Fordham in February, 
1850; John Barr, the first Sheriff of the county, in 1851. Of these 
but few remain. Dr. Phillips, Richard E. Cater and James O'Han- 
lon still survive. Mr. Cater was but a boy of seventeen when he 
landed, and reports that small-pox, in 1849, threatened to break 
up the little settlement. Dr. Phillips had engaged a Frenchman, 



AND BUSINESS MEN OF TO-DAY. 27 

probably Alex. Pelett, to help him on his fcarm, but as the son of 
Gaul had been a nurse in the small-pox hospital, in Detroit, he car- 
ried infection in his clothing, and the first to be stricken down was 
the doctor himself, and soon one after another was attacked, until 
it ran through nearly all, but thanks to vigorous constitutions and 
the doctor's care, they all recovered, although some will bear the 
marks to the grave; Cater among the rest. A. W. Langworthy is 
now in Traverse Bay, Alex. S. Anderson passed awaj' December 29, 
1879, and there were, in 1849, besides those mentioned, two single 
men, T. Byrne, still surviving, and James Flood, since dead. These 
all settled along the beach in Claybanks township, between Flower 
Creek and Whisky Creek. 

The getting out of shingle bolts was also an inducement for men 
to come into this country, and accordingly we find that at various 
points this was the first thing attempted. About this time a Mr. 
Graham got out shingle bolts along Stony Lake and on Little Point 
Au Sable, and his death, in 1850, was the first death in this coun- 
ty. Lorenzo D. Eaton, whose widow now resides on Anderson's 
farm at Claybanks PostofRce, was one of the very earliest settlers. 
He came from Wisconsin in 1849, toget out shingle bolts, and to pre- 
pare for the settlement of his family. Accordingly we find him back 
in November, 1850, and after considerable hardships, he got his 
family into a log house, on what is now J. Gibbs' farm, at Black- 
beriy Ridge, claimed to be the first log house in the county. But 
before this, in 1849, Dr. Phillijjs built a frame house, and his father 
another, used as a store at the mouth of Whisky Creek. R. E. Ca- 
ter built one on lot No. 1, Section 17. The honor of erecting the 
first log house may be assigned to A. W. Langworthy, on lot 3, Sec- 
tion 17, and torn down in 1880; and the first frame to Dr. Phillips. 
Among the very earliest marriages, doubtless the first was that of 
A. C. Haggerty to Ellen Googins, who had to travel on foot all the 
way to White River, where 'Squire Hulbert "jined" them in the ir- 
revocable bonds of matrimony. Truly, true love did not run 
smoothly even then. The Rev. Timothy Brigham, Methodist, 
preached the first sermon, in Haggerty's house, and on week days 
attended to the soles of his customers as a working shomaker, fol- 
lowing the example of Paul, the tent-maker, in not being a burden 
on the young community. The first surveyor who laid out the sec- 
tions of this county was Mr. Rigdon; the first physician was Dr. 
Pliillips, whose beat lay from Pere Marquette (Ludington) to IMus- 
kegon, along the beach— rather an extensive run of practice. 

By treaty at Grand Rapids, in 1835, and the establishment of a 
land office at Ionia, in 183G, the lands north of Grand River were 
brought in market in 1839. 



28 OCEANA COUNTY PIONEERS 

Then, in I800, a treaty was made by which the tribes mentioned 
surrendered their land on Grand River, and agreed to select a reser- 
vation to the north, and accordingly m 1857-8 they shipped their 
shattered bands, seventeen in all, at Grand Haven, on board the 
steamer Ottawa, and Charles Mears, a large propeller owned by Mr. 
Mears, came to Pentwater, the young men riding their ponies along 
the beach, and made their way from Pentwater to their reservation 
in "Injun" Town. They had selected a region twenty-four miles 
from north to south, and six miles across, now the four towns of 
Elbridge and Crystal in Oceana county, and Eden and Custer, in 
Mason County, being Towns 1516, 16-16, 17-16, and 18-16. The 
bands who lived on the Muskegon did not wish to journey far, and 
so they chose a town uj) that river, now Holton — Town 12-15. 

These towns wei-e high and rolling in many parts, in other por- 
tions were broad and deep river valleys; all was fertile, and covered 
with noble pine, or hardwood. Crystal streams of purest water ev- 
erywhere penetrated the forests. These were alive with grayling, 
perch and bass, and besides this they fertilized the land, and afford- 
ed pure water to refresh man and beast. 

These towns lay within a few miles of the lake, whither the Indian 
•could go down and fish, and exchange his maple sugar to the trader 
at the mouth of the Pentwater. Here was a happy hunting ground 
for the peaceful bands of the once powerful "Ottawas," the feeble 
remnant of the Pottawatamies, and the still weaker Chippewas, 
who sold out their rights on Grand River. 

This reservation — still spoken of as "Indiantown" — was chosen 
with care and wisdom. It was away from white men for many 
miles, and it would be, they fondly hoped, many years ere they would 
be pressed out by the fatal encroachments of the ever-restless i^ale- 
faces. 

Let our readers picture to themselves the life of an Indian in these 
forest glades that are now beautiful farms with waving fields of 
grain. The wild beast disputed with him the right of possession. 
Wolves were so numerous that it is related that one Bourget, the 
a,dvanced scout of the commissioners in building the State road 
from Muskegon to Grand Haven, on his journey killed and received 
bounty money for 100 wolves, which he shot at night while he 
camped surrounded by a camp-fire; his custom being— famous hunt- 
er as he was— to imitate the howling ot the wolves, and shoot them 
when they approached in the darkness, their fierce eyes glaring like 
twin balls of lire. The earliest records of the county contain ac- 
counts on every page for the payment of from $8 to §10 for every 
wolf scalp brought in. The species of wolf was the large gray kind 
about as large as a Newfoundland dog. The early settlers tell al- 



AND BUSINESS MEN OF TO-DAY. 29 

most uniformly of hearing them liowling and seeinir their footprints. 
Some yet exist in Colfax. 

Bears, too, were numerous, being of the common black species, 
and some remain even yet. We hear of some carrying off hogs in 
Crystal and Colfax. Bear skin and bear meat were objects of in- 
terest to our red men. 

Besides wolf and bear there were numerous herds of the red or 
fallow deer, which found the wilds and brooks of Oceana an earthly 
paradise. Many are the "deer" stories told by the early settlers in 
all parts. Scarcely one but has been a mighty hunter, a Nimrod in 
those days:— Dr. Hawley, of Hesperia, gave over counting his after 
they numbered fiftj*, and Giles Townsend, of Newfield, is never tired 
of fighting his deer battles "o'er and o'er again." Gay, of Crystal, 
Sayles of Elbridge, and indeed all the white men that first came in, 
hunted the "nierrie" deer. These deer were a source of food supply 
to the early Indian. 

Besides wolf and bear and deer and beaver, were countless num- 
bers of marten, coons, mink, muskrat, otter and fisher and other 
trapped game. The lynx and wild-cat also prowled in these woods, 
and, in short, nature presented here a model hunting-ground. The 
waters were full of choice fish; the air was full of edible birds, and 
wild duck and pigeon, in their season, darkened the air "from morn 
till noon and dewey eve;" The forest glades were full of the ani- 
mals of the chase, and wild berries grew, as they do today, in count- 
less profusion; the soil was easily tilled, and produced in abundance 
to the simple cultivation of the squaws and the men enfeebled by 
age, plentiful harvests of potatoes and Inditin corn. In fact, Na- 
ture, seems here to have emptied her cornucopia upon these red 
sons of the soil. 

Such was the land chosen by the Aborigines, and the whites who 
have nearly supplanted them in their birthrigVit, have reason to 
feel happy in their selection of a settlement. 

It may be interesting to know how the Indians supported them- 
selves in this land. We have told how bountiful Nature was, and 
as there were but seventeen small bands, not exceeding 1,300 in all, 
it will be easily understood that there was no surplus ]pO]pulation 
to feed. In summer they peeled hemlock bark, — mainly for Charles 
Mears, of Pentwater, — picked berries and fished, and in thefall they 
secured their potatoes and corn, then went to the hunt and to trap- 
iping. In early spring they made astonishing quantities of maple 
sugar, some nearly as white as good coffee sugar, this being chieHy 
done by squaws and the extremely old men and the children, when 
the men were off hunting and trapping." — Page's History of Oceana 
County. 

We copy the above as it corresponds very closely with our rec- 



30 OCEAXA COUNTY PIOXEEKS 

ords covering the same period, and contains an interesting descrip- 
tion of the establishment of the Indian Reservation in this county 
and the relations existing between the early jpioneers and Indians. 
There are some changes from the above quotation, and additional 
information which will be noticed in the following pages. 

The end of the year 1834 marks the close of the first era of devel- 
opment, or settlement, of Oceana County. Those Tx-ho resided here 
at that time are all entitled to the honor of first settlers. They all 
came within a very few years of each other, and alike braved the 
dangers and hardships of first penetrating the wilderness of an un- 
forbidding aspect, and a country so far as was known at that time, 
with an unpromising future. Some came as agents of others, who 
failed wholly to compensate them for their trouble, and even neg- 
lected tlie dear ones left behind in their care. Others came, imbued 
with the sj)irit of adventure, to discover and hew out a home for 
themselves. The central points of location were Stony Creek and 
Pentwater. The territory was designated by another name. They 
were without local Government, and to redress their grievances and 
conflicting interests, or even to get married, were obliged to go be- 
fore officers of White River township. One of the Justices of the 
Peace of White River township at this time, whose jurisdiction 
embraced the territory of this and Mason counties, was James Dex- 
ter. He, although not residing in this county, by virtue of his ju- 
risdictional authority, and the further fact that he acted as such 
oliicer in cases arising in this territory, entitles him to the honor of 
being the first Justice of the Peace in the county. 

We will close the chapter with as complete a list as we have been 
able to obtain of these who settled in this county prior to Janua- 
ry, 1855: 

ISlO— Cliauiicey B. Clements, dead, and wife, now Mrs. Olive Eyrne, living in county. 

" Asa Ilaggerty and wife, dead. 

" Dr. Thomas Fhillips and wife, living in the county. 

" Tliomas Phillips, Sr. and wife, dead. 

" Edwin II. Cobb, dead. 

" James O'llanlon, dead. 

" Andrew Kector, dead. 

" Alex. S. Anderson, dead. 

" A. W. Langwortliy and wife, removed. 

" John Fordliam and wife, living in county. 

" Tliomas 15yrne, living in county. 

" L. D. Eaton, dead. 

" Otis Heycock, dead. 
1850— A. lirady and wife, living in county. 

" Harvey Tower and wife, living in county. 

" Timothy Brigham, 1st prejkcher, M. E. Cluuch. 

" Jolm Parr, 1st Sheriff, dead. 

" Mrs. John Barr, living in county. 

" Mrs. h. I). Eaton, living in county. 

" Alex Pelett and w ife, removed in 1853. 



AND BUSINESS MEN OF TO-DAY. 



31 



" Lyman Flood, dead. 

" Jitmes Cody and wife, removed. 

" John Simmons, living in county. 

" Pat Jordan, removed. 

" Kichard E. Cater, living in comity. 

" Mrs. Kober, removed in 1854. 
1852— W'm. J. Haughey and wife, living in comity. 

" WoodrutY Chapin, living in Silver Creek, N. Y. 

" Airs. J. O'Hajilon, dead. 

', Owen Farrell, dead. 

" Mrs. Owen Farrell. 

" A. Huston, dead. 
1853— A. R. Wheeler, dead. 

Malcom Campbell, Chas. A. Eosevelt, dead, L. N. Curtis, Warren Wilder, Estes 

Kich, James McNutt, Jasper Thompson, Henry Harris, Charles Blanck. 




FIRST COURT HOUSE IN HART. 

On the removal of the county seat from Wliisky Creek to Hart, 
the above building, known as the old Corbin building, was utilized 
for a Court House until the erection of the commodious building on 
Court House Square, now used. This old relic of former times has 
been changed in appearance by the addition of a wing on one side 
and a shed on the other, and is now used in the business of evapo- 
rating fruit. When used as a Court House it had no side door or 
brick foundation, and there was a stairway at the back. 



CHAPTER V. 



THE EVOLUTION OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT 
AND SOCIETY. 

1855 finds us with two principcal sett]ement centers in the coun- 
y, one located in Claybanks near the old sawmill built by Doctor 
r'hillips, the other where the village of Pentwater now stands. 

The two settlements were sixteen miles apart, with a wilderness 
)etween. The road by the beach Avas the only open way of travel 
ind at times it was very difficult to make the journey by this road 
)n account of severe lake storms, driftwood, etc. The leading spir- 
ts of the Stony Creek settlement were Doctor Phillips, A. R. Wheel- 
)V, Harvey Tower, Alex. S. Anderson and others, while of the Pent- 
vater settlement it was E. R. Cobb and Andrew Rector. The Clay- 
)anks settlement, by reason of its proximity to White River and 
ivilization, settled more rapidly than its northern rival, and when 
.he time came, June 1, 1855, for the first Board of Supervisors to 
neet, it required no trick to .establish the county seat at Stony 
2veek which was done. 

The following from the XJen of Harvey Tower, descriptive of the 
icenes attendmg the organization of local government, we give in 
lis own language: 

"Just how our county machinery was put in motion, I presume 
rery few ever heard. In February, 1855, the Act toi)rovide for the 
organization of Oceana, Mason and Manistee Counties was passed by 
he* Legislature, and the first election of our county olficers was held 
it Stony Creek (now Benona) on the first Mondaj^ of April following. 

The County Convention nominated John Bai'r for Sheriff, Amos 
i. Wheeler Treasurer, Harvey Tower County Clerk and Register of 
Deeds. The remainder of the ticket is not remembered. Charles A. 
Ilosevelt aspired to the office of Sheriff, and Malcom Campbell to 
;hat of Clerk and Register, and vigorously pushed their claims in 
;hat direction, but after a spirited election the whole of the regu- 
ar ticket was elected. The Act provided that when, bj* a certain 
lay therein named, the Clerk and Register and Treasurer- elect 
should file their oaths of office with each other, the official machin- 
sry of the county should begin to move, having a legal existence. 
3n the last day of the time allowed for filing said oaths, the officers- 



AND BUSINESS MEX OF TO-DAY. 33 

elect, with several prominent citizens, met to consider the question 
whether, after all, it was not better to remain attached to Ottawa, 
for judicial purposes, as our taxes then were very light, than to in- 
cur the much greater expense of supporting a separate county or- 
ganization; but as the people had exjjressed a desire to organize, by 
electing county officers, it was deemed best to perfect the organiza- 
tion. 

How the oath was to be administered was a question that seem- 
ed greatly to trouble some of the knowing ones anxious to avoid 
any error that would vitiate the proceedings, and insisting that 'the 
officers must be sworn in on the Bible.' But to those uiDon whom 
devolved the duty of qualifying, that day, there was a matter of 
greater concern than the manner of administering the oath, the 
nearest officer qualified to do that residing at White River, full fif- 
teen miles distant, the only road being the sandy beach of Lake 
Michigan. Before a conclusion was reached, the clock numbered 2 
p. M., and it took another hour at least to obtain horses for the 
journey. About three o'clock, Tower led off mounted on hiselegant 
"Brutus," Wheeler closely following on his less showj'', but more 
plucky "Old Rob." Arriving at White River, after some delay Jus- 
tice J. D. Stebbins was found, who, going immediately to his office, 
administered the oath with great dignity. Meantime the horses 
had rested, and the officers, full fledged (save filing their oaths of- 
ficial) mounted their steeds for home, which they reached about ten 
minutes before 12, — just time enough to file their papers before the 
time expired. 

To say that the rain fell in torrents, would give but a faint idea 
of the storm encountered on the 'home stretch' of that romantic 
ride. I doubt if it ever rained harder since the time of Noah. The 
clothing of the riders was wet through, and the water ran down, 
filling their boots and running over in streams. Arriving at Stony 
Creek, we found 'the fire fair-blazing and the vestment warn),' and 
the new Treasurer, after his first official act of filing the Clerk's 
oath, came from an adjoining room with glass and decanter in 
hand, remarking as he api^eared: 'Tower, Idon't believealittle good 
Bourbon would hurt either of us.' What could Tower do but take 
a little? Ye teetotalers, say, say, ye severest, what would ye have 
done?" 

The Board of Supervisors, composed of E. R. Cobb, Pentwater 
(there is no record showing the organization of Pentwater and 
Cobbs' election as Sui^ervisor until the year following), A. S. An- 
derson, Claybanks, and Warren Wilder, Stony Creek, with Har- 
vey Tower as Clerk, met at the house of Alexander S. Anderson, 
organized, ordered $300 raised for county purpose:-?, established by 



34 OCEANA COUNTY PIONEERS 

resolution the county seat on Sec. 8, Claybanks, known as Whisky 
Creek, and adjourned. 

Claybaxks. — This township was organized by authority of the Act 
of the Legislature of Feb. 13, 1855, and the first election took place 
on the 2nd day of April, 1855, the following persons being elected: 
Supervisor, A. S. Anderson; Clerk, Timothy Brigham; Treasurer, 
Thos. Phillips; Justices, A. S. Anderson, L. D. Eaton, James Smith; 
Commissioners of Highways, Asa Haggerty,L. D. Eaton and James 
Smith; Constables, R. E. Cater, John Fordham, A. C. Haggerty, L. 
N. Curtis; School Inspectors; A. S. Anderson and James Cody. 

Stony Creek.— The first township meeting was held at the house 
of Amos R. Wheeler, in April, 1855. Harvey Tower was Chairman, 
Warren Wilder and Estes Rich Inspectors of Election, and Malcom 
Campbell Clerk. The following officers were elected: Supervisor, 
Warren Wilder; Clerk, Malcom Campbell; Treasurer, James ^IcNutt; 
Justices, A. R. Wheeler, Jasper Thompson, Henry Harris and Estes 
Rich; Highway Commissioneis, W. Wilder, H. Tower and James 
McXutt; School Inspectors, W. Wilder and H. Tower. 

Pentwater. — The first town meeting was held in the house of E. 
R. Cobb, April 7, 1856, when the township officers were elected, al- 
though in the 1855 meeting of the Board of Supervisors Edwin R. 
Cobb appeared and acted as Supervisor for Pentwater. At the 
township election above mentioned the following officers were elect- 
ed: Supervisor, E. R. Cobb; Clerk, James Dexter; Treasurer, Nor- 
man Rogers: Highway Commissioners, A. Rector, J. D. Green and 
N. Rogers; Constables, J. G. Blowers, N. Codner; School Inspector, 
J. G. Blowers. The Inspectors of Election were E. R. Cobb, A. Rec- 
tor, N. Rogers. SI 50 was voted for town expenses. 

1856 — June 6. The Board of Supervisors met at Campbell & 
Wheeler's store, Stony Creek, but E. R. Cobb being absent, it ad- 
journed until June 18, then Alex. S. Anderson was absent and the 
Board could do no business. The members jDresent caused him to 
be specially summoned, but he refused to attend. The members 
X3resent considered they had done all that was necessary and pro- 
ceeded to hold the meeting. At this meeting the offices of Clerk and 
Register were united. A wagon road from Pentwater River to Col- 
ton's sawmill on white River, was ordered surveyed. 

This year witnessed the organization of four school districts in 
Stony Creek. The county increased rapidly this j'ear in popula- 
tion. We now find among the records of Stony Creek the names of 
H.Hendri.kson, J. and Nels Munson, A. Brady, Dr. Ira Jenks, W. 
Thiele, L. Smith, H. D. Clark, L. Webber, W. H. Anderson, W^m. 
Gardiner, S. Merrifield, J. A. VanTassel, John Stearns, H. and J. Kos- 
ter, J. Froderson, Jas. Gibbs, Mrs. J. H. Sammons. In Claybanks, H. 



AND BUSINESS MEN OF TO-DAY. 35 

Brady, M. Smith, H. Wheat, M. IMcGulpin, :M. Tyson, Peter Bow- 
man, Chas. McCune. In Pentwater we tind, Medard Levau.x, Ed- 
ward Brooker, John Brookshes, James Brooker, Win. Jennuigs. 

1857 — The county now begins to assume the air of a permanent 
organization. In February by Act of the Legislature the name of 
Stony Creek was changed to Benona. In November the Board of 
Supervisors met. E. R. Cobb was absent, but the Board, compos- 
ed of L. D. Eaton, Benona, and A. S. Anderson, Claybanks, did the 
county business, equaUzed valuations, audited accounts, fixed sal- 
aries and adjourned until Nov. 24. Cobb was still absent. C. A. 
Rosevelt had removed and the office of Sheriff became vacant. A 
special election was ordered for Dec. 29 to fill the vacancy. Also 
that of Clerk in place of M. Campbell, resigned, and Treasurer in 
place of A. R. Wheeler, resigned. 

1858 — April 5. The township of Greenwood was organized. The 
first meeting was held at the residence of Wm. R. Wilson, and the 
following officers were elected: Supervisor Oliver Swain; Clerk, Cy- 
rus W. Bullen; Treasurer, C. B. Moe; Justices, 0. Swain, Nelson 
Wright, C. W. Bullen, Amos S. Wright; Directors of the Poor, Ben- 
jamin Ish and Samuel C. Wood; Constables, Lachlan McCalluin, 
Lyman Brown and B. Moe. School Inspectors, O. Swain and N. 
Wright. 

On the same day, at the house of S. G. Rollins, the towii;-liip of 
Elbridge was organized and the first election held. The territory 
comprised the four towns Golden, Hart, Elbridge and Leavitt, and 
the number of votes polled at this meeting was 15. Dr. Ira Jenks 
and H. H. Fuller were Inspectors of Election, H. H. Fuller and E. 
G. Farmer, Clerks. The following town officers were elected: Su- 
pervisor, S. G. Rollins; Treasurer, Ira Jenks; Clerk, H. H. Fuller; 
Justices, H. H. Fuller, Ira Jenks, Victory Satterlee and S. G. Rol- 
lins; Highway Commissioners, V. Satterlee and Nelson Glover; 
School InsiDCCtors, Robert McAllister and Ira Jenks; Directors of 
the Poor, Alex. Black and Ira Jenks; Constables, Caleb Green and 
Daniel Went worth. 

In May there was a special meeting of the Board of Sui>ervisors 
and we find the following towns represented: Claybanks, A. S. An- 
derson; Benona, L. D. Eaton; Pentwater, D. G. Wears; Greenwood, 
Oliver Swain; Elbridge, S. G. Rollins. The meetingwascalled to ar- 
range for jjrocuring abstracts from the U. S. Land ottice, but other 
business was transacted, among which was the authorizing a ferry 
at Pentwater across the channel. This was done upon the petition 
of Henry C. Flagg (the present ferryman) and others. A deed of 



36 



OCEANA COUNTY PIONEERS 



land from Rosevelt and Anderson for Court House Square and con- 
tract to build jail was accepted. 

The government-makers of the new countj', intent upon get- 
ting the machinery of their new organization into working order 
for the time being, foi'got that an important part of that organ- 
ization was the Judicial Dei^artment until the following letter was 
received, which points out the necessary first steps to be taken in 
this direction, viz.: 

Allegan, May 26, 1858. 
Deak Sir: — Enclosed I send 
you my appointment of terms 
of Circuit Courts for the Ninth 
Judicial Circuit; please file and 
post copy as per note at the bot- 
tom. Will you consult with 
your Sheriff anci order a place 
for holding your September term 
incase you have no Court House. 
The i^lace should be at the coun- 
ty seat if practicable. Will you 
also consult with the Sheriff and 
Prosecuting Attorney and if you 
determine it to be necessary, see 
that Grand and Petit Juries are 
duly drawn and summoned for 
that term. At the proj^er time 
you will please prepare your Calendar of cases, civil, criminal and 
in Chancery, as also a proper Journal in blank for daily entries of 
the Court. I make these suggestions supposing you may have had 
but little practice in Court as Clerk. My address is "Allegan, Alle- 
gan County, Mich." Any information you may desire as to your 
oflicial duties I will cheerfully give on your application. Trusting 
that our future personal intercourse may prove mutually agreea- 
ble, I am yours, etc., 

F. J. LiTTLEJOHN. 

County Clerk of Oceana County." 

Accordinglj' Sept. 21, of this year the Hon. Flavins J. Littlejohn, 
Circuit Judge, accompanied by John H. Standish and W. T. How- 
ell, attorneys of Newaj^go, and Wm.H. Parks, attorney from Grand 
Haven, appeared at Whisky Creek, and the first Circuit Court of 
Oceana County was formally opened by proclamation of the Judge. 
Luther L. Alexander appears on the Eecords as Clerk. The Judge 
apiTointed W. T. Howell Prosecuting Attorney, and the first case 
was then ti'ied. It was an action of assumpsit in which John Bow- 




judge F. J. LITTLEJOHN. 



AKD BUSINESS MEX OF TO-DAY. 



37 



man was plaintiff and Edwin R. Cobb and Andrew Rector were de- 
fendants. It was tried without a jury and judgment for $128.17 
and costs was rendered in favor of plaintiff. The first criminal case 
apiDearing upon the Calendar was the case of People vs. Richard E. 
Cater, trespass to personal pro^ierty and assault and battery. 
The Prosecuting Attorney was allowed to enter nolle pros. Andrew 
•Brady and Henry Hoffman were admitted to citizenship, and on 
the same day we find the following order made by the Circuit Judge: 

"In the matter of i:)roviding a jail for Oceana County, 
It appearing to the Court that there is no jail or other suitable 
place in said county for the confinement of persons charged with 
the commission of crime, and upon application thereof by the Pros- 
ecuting Attorney ot said county, it is hereby ordered, and the Court 
does hereby designate and order that the jail of Ottawa County at 
Grand Haven be used as the jail of Oceana County, also, until oth- 
wise ordered." 

September 29th, Court adjourned. 




CHAPTER VI. 



EVOLUTION OF EVEXTS CONTINUED. 

1859 — The county organized with five towns, a Circuit Court, and 
a ra]pidly increasing i^opulation greets this year. At this time, how- 
ever, a new element of social prosperitj^ begins to manifest itself. 
Timothy Brigham, a shoemaker and an Elder in the M. E. Church, 
had preached to the people in Claybanks, sowing the seed of reli- 
gious truth, and in 1856 Joseph Elliott, an Indian Baptist preach- 
er, appeared among the people and formed a class of whom James 
Brooker and wife and C. A. Rosevelt were among the first members. 
Then in 1858 came a Methodist minister by the name of Xaylor, 
and in 1859 the Rev. Beard, whose Circuit embraced Mason and 
Oceana counties. He perfected the organizations attempted, and 
encouraged the pioneer workers by frequent visits and words of 
cheer. 

On the 5th day of April this year, the second term of Circuit 
Court for this county convened, with Judge Littlejohn upon the 
bench. In L.G.Rutherford's "Bench and Bar," published in Page's 
History of Oceana County, we find the following description of this 
term of Court: 

"At this term a Sheriff seems to have been present, and that ev- 
ery man might be provided for, he was allowed two assistants for 
the term. John H. Standish was appointed Prosecuting Attorney, 
a position which he held for three terms. Four cases were tried, 
and a judgment for plaintiff rendered in each. That of Asa C. Hag- 
gerty vs. Owen C. Farrell was tried before the first jui-y of the coun- 
ty, drawn specially for this occasion, consisting of Henry Hend- 
rickson, John Nelson, E. R. Cobb, H. C. Flagg, Allen Baker, Jason 
Carpenter, Lyman Flood, Elbridge G. Farmer, William Underbill 
and Richard E. Cater. At the September term of the same year, the 
first attorney (Thomas M. Brady) was admitted to practice, but 
it does not appear that he was ever actually engaged in practice, 
and the writer is not aware of what became of him." 

The Board of Supervisors held two sessions this year, the first 
March 14, and the second December 27. It ordered the purchase 
of a safe for the use of the county; also the laying out of a iDublic 



AXD BUSIXESS MEN OF TO-DAY. 39 

laighway from Flower Creek to the north line of the county, near 
Bass Lake. 

1860— The local government is now well organized. The charac- 
ter and mental ability of those instrumental in its formation was 
3uch that no misappropriation of public funds, or serious blunders 
ai^pear at this time to embarrass the new gos^ernment. It is a re- 
markable fact that thus far unanimity seems to have marked all 
the steps and the voice of wisdom to have controlled them. This 
year adds but little to that of 1859. Immigration increases with 
each year and consequently increasing advantages of civilization 
and society become more apparent. One mail a week, however, 
suffices to connect' the new settlements with the outside world. 
This year the llev. H. M. Joy, Presiding Elder of the M. E. Church 
for the Grand Rapids District, came to this county and made a spe- 
cial effort to increase the spread of religious truths by organizing 
classes at Whisky Creek, Benona and Ferry. 

April 5, Squire T. Biggeras, after a two days trial in the Circuit 
Court by the following jury, viz., Edwin R. Cobb, H. C. Flagg, David 
Dill, Henry O'Niel, Adam Huston, Jas. T. Calant, Dugal Sivik, Jas. 
Gibbs, Jr., Henry Hoffman, D. G. Weare, L. N. C urtis, Andrew Rec 
tor, upon the charge of forgery, was found guilty. The next day af- 
fidavits by Respondent and H. C. Flagg were filed, disclosing irreg- 
ularities, and a new trial was ordered. It does not ajDpear of rec- 
ord that he was ever tried again. 

As far back as 1819 whisky had been sold on Sec. 17, Claybanks, 
and occasionally at other places since, but only spasmodically and 
surreptitiously. No regular saloon had been established at this 
time, and no organized temperance effort made. Wolf scal^is bro't 
$8. Interest on county orders which heretofore had been ten per 
cent., is now seven per cent. Seven towns are now organized and 
have representation on the Board of Supervisors. The Treasurer 
has a salary of $400, the Clerk !?300, the Sheriff $.51^ the Judge of 
Probate $100. Hiram E. Russell heads a petition to the Board to 
form the township of Hart, which was granted. John Bean, Jr., 
headed the ai)i)lication to organize the townshix? of Weare, which 
was granted. 

1861 — April 2, the township of Weare was organized at the River 
House, and Myrtle B. High elected Supervisor, A. D. Boomer Clerk, 
W. P. Harding, Treasurer. 

April 9, the township of Hart was organized and the first election 
held at the school house, on Sec. 17. Josiah Russell, long since de- 
ceased, A. W. Peck, now an inmate of the insane asylum at Trav- 
erse City, and Dr. Ira Jenks, at present residing at Shelby and near- 



40 OCExiiXA COUXTV PIONEERS 

ly blind, were the Inspectoi's of Election. Josiah Russell was elect- 
ed Supei'visor; A. W. Peck, Clerk, and C. W. Wilson, Treasurer. 

The county now has a population of 1816. Eight organized 
towns. Pentwater has increased to a settlement of sufficient im- 
portance and magnitude to make the "want" of a newspaper ap- 
parent, and a gentleman by the name of E. R. Powell furnishing the 
necessarj' material and Frederick W.Ratzel the brains, combineand 
on the 20th day of April, 1861, the Oceana Times appeared, with 
the following salutatory: 

"In assuming the res]ponsibilitiesof a puljlic journal, it is perhaps 
unnecessary for the undersigned to say more at this time than that 
he appears before you as an entire stranger, with a modest unas- 
suming sheet, but that it is his intention to become a permanent 
reisdent in Oceaua county, and grow with its growth, and strength- 
en with its strength. This is a new enterprise, started at a time 
when many persons would seeni inclined to doubt whether it could 
be sustained. We have good reason to believe that it will be cor- 
dially responded to by the iDeople, and if anything like the support 
is yielded to it, which should be, there can be no doubt of the entire 
success of the undertaking. 

The Times will be republican in politics, and devote a large space 
in its columns to the local intelligence, and the advancement of 
the interests of our village and county. To our political oi)]ponents 
we shall never use harsh language, but shall rather j)refer to be 
moderate but firm, in the advocacy of our views, relying upon all, 
whether political friends or enemies to give us their undivided sup- 
port, knowing that the entire patronage of every resident of the 
county, must be given us with a liberal hand to insure us that 
amount of 'material aid' which will be necessary, to make the pa- 
per wliat it should be— a useful advocate of the true interests of the 
people of Oceaua County. With these few desultory remarks we 
submit our cause into your hand-;, relying upon your liberal re- 
sponse to this undertaking for a triumphant career. 

F. W. Ratzel." 

The village at the time this paper appeared was known as 3Iid- 
dlescx, the name given by Charles Hears to the plat of land which 
he recorded, and which land embraces that now lying west of Han- 
cock street. Hears owned a large building near the present ferry 
shanty, with a general store below and a large Hall and store room 
above. The printing office was first located in the upper story of 
this building. E. R. Powell, mentioned above, was a publisher at 
Ionia, and had secured the printing of the list of lands delinquent 
for taxes for Oceana, Hason and Hanistee counties, and as the 
publication had to be made in this territory he supplied the mate- 



AND BUSIKESS MEN OF TO-DAY. 41 

rial foi- Mr. Ratzel with the understanding that the property would 
be his (Ratzel's) after the publication of the list of delinquent tax 
lands as above mentioned. The paper appeared Avithout an ad- 
vertisement in it for parties in Oceana County. The advertising 
patrons of the first issue were all from Ionia, Detroit and Philadel- 
phia. It appeared as a five-column folio, and in general typograph- 
ical ap]pearance as well as matter, was a very creditable paper. At 
this time there was one paper published at Muskegon, one at Grand 
Rapids, one at Newaygo, and one at Traverse City. 

1861— May 10, the propeller Mears arrived in Pentwater port, 
bringing papers from outside as late as May 4th, which occasioned 
general comment. 

Incident.— May 23, one Frank Theis, of Pere Marquette, publicly 
proclaimed in Lincoln, north of Ludington, that "he wished to see 
the Southern army under Jeff. Davis whip the North, and hoiked 
that afterwards he would hang every rej)ublican and negro Avho es- 
caped higher than Haman.'" He gave utterance to many other like 
treasonable sentiments which were lost amid the yells of the excit- 
ed populace. Stones, brick-bats and other missiles were brought 
to bear upon Mr. Theis' cranium, and in less time than it takes to 
describe it, would have silenced him forever had it not been for the 
timely interference of one Thos. Wood, who, after much difficulty, 
quieted the mob by the statement that he was crazy and irrespon- 
sible. He was then quietly advised to leave the place within fifteen 
minutes, or hang. He left, taking it down the shore as fast as his 
legs could carry him. On the 26th of July we again hear of him 
creating a sensation. It appears that he went to Hart township 
and hired out to Calvin Cheney to work upon the farm. That on 
Sunday, while Mr. Cheney and family were at church, he broke open 
Mr. Cheney's trunk and taking $278 in gold therefrom, left the 
country. Deputy Sheriffs Wm. Webb and Wm. Merritt started at 
once in pursuit and tracked him into Muskegon county whei-e they 
found him in custody of a Mr. Andrews. They brought him back 
with the money. He was brought before the Justice E. R. Cobb 
and committed to jail to await his trial in the Circuit Court. Here 
he plead guilty to the charge, stated that his name was Chas. Ran- 
den instead of Frank Theis, and on the 5th day of Oct., 1861, was 
sentenced to States prison for two years. This was the fir;-t inmate 
of States prison furnished by Oceana County. 

In 1858 the settlers in the vicinity of Whisky Creek celebrated 
the 4th day of July in an imposing manner, but the first grand cel- 
ebration of this day which gathered the pioneers from all parts of 
the county and Mason County took place at Pentwater July ith, 



42 OCEANA COUNTY PIONEERS 

1861. Great preparation was made for this event, as will be seen 
by the following list of officers which appeared on the bills: 

President, Josiah Russell. 

Vice Presidents, H. C. Flagg, Malcom Campbell, N. C. Smith, El- 
nathan J. Reed, Jas. Scott, Abijah W. Peck, Nelson Green and Seth 
Robinson. 

Marshal, Wm. Webb; Assistant, Wm. INIerritt. 

Chaplain, John Fletcher. 

Reader, D. G. Weare. 

Orators, C. W. Deane and H. Tower. 

Committee, E. D. Richmond, Wm. Underbill; Chas. Rosevelt, M. 
B. High, A. C. Randall, S. G. Rollins, Oliver Swain, Alex. S. Ander- 
son, John Bean, Jr., Benjamin Reed. 

July 15, a small coaster ran to Pentwater port and anchored in 
the lake away from the dock. The appearance of this hooker ex- 
cited the curiosity of the people by its suspicious appearance and 
the actions of those on board. It was commanded by one Capt. 
McKenzie. Tlie crew were uniformed with blue jackets and red 
breeches. Finally curiosity became too great and some daring cit- 
izens took a row boat and went aboard. They came back well 
pleased with what they found, but would say nothing to give oth- 
ers any information. Others went and returned maintaining the 
same mysterious silence as to what they saw. Boat-load after 
boat-load visited the craft and yet those who staid ashore remain- 
ed in ignorance of what great attraction was on board this hooker. 
It was noticed that some visited it several times and each time they 
returned were more exuberant in their pleasure than before. Mon- 
day morning solved the mystery. A goodly number of Pentwater's 
citizens were found to be hilariously drunk. This craft had on 
board a cargo of fortj^ rod whisky which was retailed out to the 
visitors by the drink, and in jugs, bottles, etc. Many of the citizens 
were indignant, but before anything could be done the captain 
hoisted sail and, went north to Pere Marquette, where he succeed- 
ed in getting himself arrested. This is probablj^ the first saloon in 
Pentwater. 

July 26, Wm. Harding, of Weare, discovered the appearance of 
the army worm. 

Sept. 24. — An incident illustrative of early justice among the In- 
dians, occurred on this day. The Indians on the Reservation were 
inclined to adopt civilized methods and manners, and when one 
Au-she-wou-bou-ge-sick beat a squaw by the name of Kau-tau-bau- 
sa-que so that she nearly died, the Indians instead of taking the 
matter in their own hands and disposing of the case, sent a delega- 



AND BUSINESS MEX OE TO-DAY. 43 

tion to the Prosecuting Attorney, C. W. Deane, who repaired at 
once to the Reservation and caused a warrant to be issued by the 
Justice, H. S. Sayles, for the arrest of the offender. The warrant 
was served and the prisoner taken before his Honor. The Indians 
from all parts of the Reservation gathered at the trial. The pris- 
oner acknowledged his guilt, and the Justice, after consulting with 
the Prosecuting Attorney and the leading red men present, imposed 
a fine of $15 and costs. Upon this a general discussion took place 
among the Indians and they finally voted to approve the judgment 
of the Court, and all went away impressed with the justice of the 
decision and a high regard for white man's Court and the law. 

Peaches of a very superior quality are exhibited in Pentwater, 
having been grown upon the River House farm owned by Charles 
Mears and managed by H. C. Flagg. At this time we also find an 
an account in the newspaper of a trotter owned by Mr. Flagg nam- 
ed "Nelly," record not given. 

Wm. Leach is teacher of the Indian school in the old mission 
building erected by the U. S. Government on the Reservation near 
H. S. Sayles' residence, which is illustrated on another page. 

Sept. 2.5. — A grocery store is opened in Pentwater by a Mr. Wal- 
radth, in which what was known as "wet goods" were keijt for sale 
"on the sly." It created much excitement and the jiroi^rietor be- 
ing threatened with prosecution, agreed to leave town. This is fol- 
lowed within a few days by a stirring temperance lecture by Alonzo 
Hyde, which is undoubtedly the first temj)erance effort made in the 
county. That it was effectual appears from what follows: The 
proprietor of the "new store" above mentioned did not leave town 
as he promised, but continued and did ajjparently a thriving busi- 
ness, and on the 10th day of October he was arrested and brought 
before Justice Graham, charged with liquor selling, found guilty 
and fined $10 and costs. This is the first prosecution and convic- 
tion. The temperance effort inaugurated by Hyde continues, and 
the new store continues. On the 25th of October the proprietor of 
the store is again brought before the Justice, convicted and lined 
$20 and costs. Dec. 13 he was arrested for the third time for the 
same offense. The year closes with the store still in existence, and 
the temperance advocates vigorously at work to sui^press it. 

BoAED OF Supervisors, met in February of this year. A. J. Un- 
derbill appeared as Supervisor from Pentwater, and offered a reso- 
lution to move the county seat to Middlesex, which was tabled. 
Seventy-six inhabitants of Elbridge petitioned the Board to rescind 
its action creating the town of Hart, and on motion of Mr. I'nder- 
hill the vote was rescinded on the ground that "it was unjust and 



44 OCEANA COUNTY PIONEERS 

would disfranchise tlie Indians." The county seat motion was 
now taken from the table and the vote being taken resulted in a 
tie, consequently failed to (^arry. Some doubt being expressed by 
members of the Board as to the legality of the vote rescinding the 
I'esolution ordering the organization of Hart, on motion, the mat- 
ter was finally left with the Prosecuting Attorney. It seems that 
he decided the rescinding vote illegal, as the township was organiz- 
ed under the previous resolution. 

Nov. 25 was the day set apart by the U. S. Government officials 
to pay the Indians on the Reservation. The Hon. D. W. C. Leach, 
Indian Agent, with his Assistant, a Mr. Smith, Came with the nec- 
essary funds, the week previous, to Pentwater, from which place he 
l^roceecled to the Eeservation. His appearance occasioned great 
activity in all c[uarters throughout the county. Six or seven wag- 
ons were loaded with merchandise and then the procession headed 
by the Paymaster, started for the Reservation. It resembled a 
great caravan, or as the Oceana Times speaking of it at the time, 
says: "It might have been taken for a party of Pike's Peak gold 
hunters." There were J. Godfrey and Julius Houseman, from 
Grand Rapids, J. Morton, from Ionia, and about every business 
man in Oceana County, as well as many others who went out of cu- 
riosity, or in the hope of a lucky opportunity presenting itself to 
enable them to get some of the red man's "gunio." Indian pay- 
ment was a great event for the Indians, and a greater one for the 
white settler. Indian payment over with, the country resumed its 
normal condition. 

1862.— In February, Col. John H. Standish, of Newaygo, and one 
of the members of the first Bar of Oceana County, delivers a lecture 
upon Spiritualism at Middlesex Hall, Pentwater. This is the first 
tune the doctrine of Spiritualism was taught i;ithe county from 
the rostrum. 

The efforts to suppress the sale of lic^uor having proved unavail- 
ing, on the 24th day of Februai^y, 1862, a society called the Wash- 
ingtonian Total Abstinence Society, was formed with the following 
officers: S. Graham, President; E. B. Burrington and L. D. Grove, 
Vice Presidents; P. W. Ratzel, Secretary; E. R. Cobb, Treasurer. 

An attempt is made this year to organize an Agricultural Society 
for Mason and Oceana counties, to hold meetings at Pentwater. 
The preliminary meeting was held and committee appointed, but 
before the time for the committee to re^^ort a majority enlisted and 
went to the war. The Agricultural Society failed because there was 
no committee left to make a report. 

April 28, Judge Littlejohn in the Circuit Court made an order di- 



AND BUSINESS MEN OF TO-DAY. 45 

recting the purchase of Green's Practice for the use of the Clerk ami 
Court, and closing the order as follows: "The Board of Suiiervis- 
ors will audit and allow its cost." 

May 6.— L. D. Grove delivers a temperance lecture in Pentwater 
and reports 120 mertjbers of the Temperance Association. 

May 30.— Improved mail service now enjoyed by the people; mail 
arrives semi-weekly. Meeting of the citizens of Pentwater to see 
about improving the harbor. E. B. Burrington starts a brick yard. 
A meeting of all the Masons in Oceana County is called at C. W. 
Deane's ollice July 3rd, to make arrangements for organizing a 
lodge. 

July 20.— Andrew Rector Shot.— Orson A. Fuller, of Hart, com- 
mitted an indecent assault u^Don a young giil 12 years of age, which 
so excited the po^Dulace that a crowd gathered and went to Fuller's 
house with the avowed intention of tarring and feathering him. 
Fuller received the crowd with a loaded" gun that he fired in their 
midst, killing Andrew Rector. Fuller the ne.xt day gave himself up 
to Justice Andrus (not Dexter) and upon examination he was 
discharged, he claiming that he fired the weapon in self-defense. 
Immediately upon being discharged he was arrested for committing 
an indecent assault upon the girl above mentioned. lie plead guil- 
ty to the cliarge, and was fined five dollars and thirty days impris- 
onment in the county jail. 

September. — A camp meeting is lield at Ro.seville (Whisky Creek), 
which is largely attended by old settlers and Indians. 

H.C.FIagg, Manager for C. Mears, issues the first due bill, and the 
l)aper in referring to the event heads its item "An Omen of Relief." 

November. — Rev. Ahaz A. Darling makes appointmeiits for hold- 
ing services in Oceanii County. 

1S03. — January 0th a singing school is started at Pentwater by 
Prof. Nioliolas. 

Alonzo Hyde claims to have a full-blood .Vyereshire bull ar.d a 
full-blood Suffolk i)ig. 

Farmers complain of high prices and take steps to organize a 
union store. This is the lirst attempt at organization of fai'mers 
lor a common purpose. 

In June of this year E. B. Clark opens a daguerrian and anil)ro- 
type Gallery. 

July.— Patriotism Among the Indians.— The patriotism of the 
settlers had sent to the front a larger proportion of the able- 
bodied men of the the county than many of the older counties. 
The call for volunteers each time was promptly answered. On the 



46 OC'EAXA COUNTY PIONEERS 

4tli day of July this year a great celebration was held at the Indian 
Reservation. Lieut. E. V. Andress, 1st Mich. Sharpshooters, was 
present and delivered the oration to the aborigines, after whom 
Chief Pay-baw-nie (whoseportraitappearselsewhere) speaks. Louis 
Genereau acted as interpreter on this occasion. The sj)eeches were 
made to encourage the young braves to enlist, and so effectual were 
thej' that twenty-five resj^onded by enlisting. These, led by Louis 
Genereau, Jr., stepped forward and were sworn into the service of 
the U. S. Government. On the Sunday following Lieut. Andress 
marched them to Pentwater, accompanied by nearly all the Indians 
on the Reservation. The scene at the departure of the steamer was 
very interesting and affecting. Many of the squaws had come to 
see them off, and there could be seen the old grey-headed squaw 
taking leave of her son. A mother with a pappoose on her back 
bidding her husband good bye after the Indian manner. In anoth- 
er quarter a younger squaw casting shy glances at her departing 
brave. As the boat left the dock three hearty cheers were given to 
them and responded to by them. This company did good service 
and several times reports of the gallant conduct of its members 
came back. Some of them never returned, but gave their lives to 
perpetuate the white man's government. 

October 13.— Removal, of County Seat.— The following resolu- 
tion was offered before the Board of Supervisors, viz.: 

"Resolved, That the county seat be remov^ed either on the north 
one-half of Sec. No. 17 Town 15 North of Range 17 West, or on the 
south half of Sec. 8 of said town. And further Resolved, that the 
Boarcl of Supervisors be a committee of the whole to locate the site 
on one of the descriptions above mentioned in this resolution; and 
further unless the said L. B. Corbin does give sufficient bonds to 
the said county for one thousand dollars, if the county seat is lo- 
cated on the northeast quarter of section seventeen in said town, 
said resolution is null and void, and the said committee meet at L. 
B.Corbin's grist mill on the last Thursday in October, at 10 o'clock 
A. M. to locate said site." 

On the adoption of said resolution the following is the A'ote: 

YEAS. NAY.s. 

H. C. Flagg, O. K. White, 

Robert F. Andrus, Benjamin Hill, 

Andrew J. Benson, Charles Camp. 

Henry Hoffman, 
Wm. H. Leach, 
Wm. Weston. 

The Board met again June 6, ISGl, and not deeming the countv 



AND BL'fJlXESS MEN OF TO-DAY. 47 

seat legally removed by the above resolution, the followiiij- was in- 
troduced, viz.: 

"Resolved, That the county seat of Oceana County be and the 
same is hereby removed so far as a vote of the Supervisors can re- 
move it, from its present location, and that it be located on a lot 
known and described as a lot containing two acres in a square 
form, 31 rods south of the north line of section L7,To\vn 15 North 
of Range 17 West, and bounded on the east by the now laid out 
township road." 

The vote on this resolution stood as follows: 

YEAS. XAVS. 

Henry C. Flagg, Wm. Weston, 

Wm. H. Leach, Charles Camp, 

Andrew J. Benson. Benjamin Hill. 

Oliver K. ^Miite, 

Robi:. Andrus, 

Henry Hoffman. 

At the same session it was moved and carried to submit the re- 
moval of the county seat as above resolved to a vote of the peo- 
ple. The vote of the people decided its removal in accordance with 
the re:iolution of the Board. 

From the breaking out of the rebellion until the surrender of Lee 
and the linal triumph of the Union forces were assured, there was 
no wavering or faltering in patriotic spirit among the settlers. The 
first call for volunteers was answered with alacrity and more than 
the county's quota on each subsequent demand was sent to the 
front. No murmur escaped the peoj^le although more than Oceana's 
share was called for. But when in November of this year it became 
known that a draft for Oceana county would take place at the Pro- 
vost's office in Grand Rapids, the disgrace was all the more keenly 
felt because of the injustice of the draft. Clubs were formed of pat- 
riotic volunteers who went to Grand Rapids to take the place of 
those drafted whose families would suffer by the draft. The follow- 
ing is the result of the draft: 

Clayhanks—Monvoe Brown, Joseph Baker, E. W. Ferrill. 

Greenwood— ^l. A. Frink, Alex. McLaren, Theodore Taylor, Ben- 
jamin F. Jloe, James Ferguson, Edward Lore. 

Leroy— Jeremiah Sullivan, Wm. J. Haughey, Martin Froderson. 

Otfo— Theodore Reed, Wm. B. Law, Amos W. Putney. 

Penfwafer— Chas.Gehrey, Wm.Ulrich, James Corlett, John Bam- 
ford, Edward B. Flagg, Wm. Ijamplan, Peter Dolan, James Piper. 

Hart— ^n\on N. Collins, Henry McQueen (deceased several months 
before the draft took place), D. C Prosser, Wm. F. Lake. 

TT'caro— Benjamin H. Cole, Henry Gay. 



48 OCEANA COUNTY PIONEERS 

The Beard Ci Supervisors met on the seventh day of December 
following, and mildly but patriotically offered to the State the fol- 
iowing protest: 

Whereas, Since the present rebellion broke out it appears that 
there is enlisted in the service of the U. S. ninety-four white men 
who were citizens of the county of Oceana, in the State of IVIichigan, 
and thirty-four Indians whom we regard as citizens of said county 
and State, for which the said county has never received any credit, 

Wherefore, Resolved, That the Board of Supervisors in session 
assembled, appoint a committee of three to make a statement of 
the above facts to the Governor of this State, and request him to 
use his efforts in procuring for said county the proper credit, which 
in justice. we are entitled to receive for such enlistments." 

To show the spirit which actuated the iDeojjle at this time we 
copy a resolution adopted by the Board of Sux^ervisors at this ses- 
sion: 

"Whereas, Our country is struggling to put down the most gigan- 
tic rebellion ever recorded in history, and therefore it becomes nec- 
essary to make an increase in our armies to eft'ect the above object 
and to demonstrate to the world that a, republican form of govern- 
ment can be sustained by that intelligence and patriotism which 
are ever the concomitants of freedom, therefore 

Resolved, That in order to eft'ect the above objects, that there be 
raised i'l the county of Oceana the sum of three thousand two hun- 
dred dollars, to be paid to men who may enlist into the service of 
the United State.s in bonds of seventy-live dollars each to the 
amount of one hundred and tifty dollars for each man who shall 
thus enlist, when he is duly mustered into the service. Said bonds 
shall be signed by the Clerk and Treasurer of said county, made to 
bear se^en per cent, intei-est, one-half of the aggregate amount to 
be paid on the first day of February, A. D. 1868, and the residue 
on the lirst day of February, A. D. 1869, the interest on the whole 
to be paid annuallj^ and the amount tobeincorporated in the gen- 
eral ta;-:." 

Catholicism in Claybanks. — We find record of the labors of Rev. 
Father Schriner, of Muskegon, in behalf of the Catholic Church in 
Oceana County this year, which is the first record noticed of a 
public nature concerning the religious work of this church in the 
county. At our earnest request Mr. J. G. Farrell, a gentleman of 
education, and the son of Owen Farrell, at whose house the first 
Catholic services were held in the county, has written the following 
church history, which adds much to our information concerning it: 

"The first Catholic services among the whites in the township of 
Claybanks, were held in the house of Owen Farrell in the year 1857, 
the Rev. Father Stannus, of Muskegon, ofliciating. The Catholics 
of Claybanks then consisted of the families of Owen Farrell, John 
Miller, Adam Schiller, Henry Teiclithesen, and Mrs. Wm. Leak. In 
the spring of 1868 the same reverend gentleman paid Claybanks 
his second and last visit, coming on foot, through what was then a 



AND JJU.S1XE.S3 MKN OF TU-IM')-. 4,9 

trackless wilderness, from Muskegon, with an Indian for his !j;nide, 
to minister to this meager (lock which liad not been au<^mented 
during his absence, services being held at the same house as before. 

The next Catholic priest to visit Claybanks was the Rev. M. 'M. 
Marioq, of Muskegon, in June, 1862,. services being held in the same 
place as before. During the yeai-s 1863, 1864 and 1865, Rev. Fath- 
er Schriner, of Muskegon, attended the mission of Claybanks, hold- 
ing services at the house of Thomas Kelley. 

During the years 1866 and 1867, Claybanks was attended by 
Rev. Henry Reeves, of Muskegon, 1868, 1869 and 1870 by Rev. 
Wtn. Tahken, services lieing held at private houses. About the 
close of 1870 a small school house on the farm of A. S. Anderson 
was purchased by the Catholics, and was found more convenient 
and commodious than x^rivate houses, although it but poorly an- 
swered the purposes for which it was bought. 

Father Herbstrit, of Big Rapids, lield services in this building, 
which was now (although not entirely free from irony, the writer 
thinks) called the 'church,' three or four times yeai'lj-, and was fol- 
lowed by Rev. M. J. P. Dempsey, then of Ludington, and now the 
efficient and talented Secretary of Bishop Foley, ot Detroit. 

In the spring of 1882 Montague, Muskegon Co., was given a resi- 
dent priest and Rev. Louis Baroux installed as its first pastor. 
Father Baroux attended Claybanks mission once a month until 
June, 1884, when he was succeeded by Rev. Edward I^eFevre. 
Father LeFevre, recognizing the inadeciuacy of the building used 
for church jDurposes to accommodate the growing congregation 
and its inconvenient and undesirable location, it is due chieflj' to 
his perseverance and tireless energy that the Catholicsof Claybanks 
now own and occupy the tine frame church built during the summer 
of 1885 on the farm of John ]\Iiller. 

Father liefevre was succeeded in 1886 by Rev. J. G.^^"yss,and he 
in 1887 by Rev. Father Willigan, the present pastor of Montague, 
who holds services at Claybanks monthly. 

The value of Church property is about .$1500.00. 

Catholic population, 80. J. O. Farreli.." 

1863— Sundry Notes.— Anson Freeman, said to be the first white 
settler of Colfax appears. Hart builds a new school house. 

Elbridge G. Farmer, after whom the township of Elbridge was 
named, while working in Tabor's saw mill was struck by a piece of 
grindstone, which burst, and for a time was supposed to be fatally 
injured. He finally recovered and is, we believe, alive an<l residing 
in the city of Grand Rapids at the present time. 

Otto reports this year the organization of a Congregational 
church with a membersliip of four persons. 




COURT HOUSE IN THE VIULAGE OF HART. 



The above is a line representation ot tlie "new Court House," so- 
called, erected on Court House Square. This building was built by 
David Benham on a contract for $6,030.80, under the supervision 
of a committee appointed by the Board of Supervisors, consisting 
of David Johnson, Geo. W. Woodward, N. C. Smith, and J. A. Chel- 
lis. It was completed and accepted by the Board in 1874. Since, 
the building has been lengthened and otherwise improved, making 
at the present time a large, well arranged and finely turnished Court 
House, and is worth at least $10,000. There is a furnace in the 
basement. The first floor is arranged in commodious offices for 
Eegister of Deeds, Judge of Probate, County Treasurer, Sheriff, 
County Clerk, Prosecuting Attorney, and vault. The upper floor 
contains Court Room, Judge's Room and Jury Room. 

It is situated in a beautiful park in the center of the village, con- 
taining also a jail and residence for the Sheriff, band stand, and U. 
S. signal service pole. Many young ornamental trees are growing 
on the grounds. The water works mains have been extended to the 
center of the grounds and two hydrants placed there. The park is 
fast becoming a lovely and attractive place for amusement and 
recreation in the summer season. 



CHAPTER \n. 



RFXVRD OF EVEXTS-1SC4 to ISGS. 

The Oceana Times was loyal to the Union. Every article refer- 
rino; to the war that appeared in it bristled with ijatnotisin, and 
from tlie commencement of hostilities until the close the Union Haj^ 
adorned the head of its editorial column. Soldiers who enlisted re- 
ceived tlatterino; notices of their conduct in battle. Touching obit- 
uaries appeared for the brave men who died in hospital or wjre 
killed in battle, and the names of those who answered the calls tor 
volunteers were here entered, a record that will endure beyond the 
lifetime of the most sturdy volunteer. We find at the beginning? of 
the year 1864 the following, enlisted by C. A. Rosevclt from this 
county and mustered into service at Grand Rapids, viz.: 

John Herrington, Pentwater. 

Wm. Robar, " 

Henry Beebe, " 

David Beebe, 

G. W. Faulkner, 

Chester L. Cai'penter, " 

Chas. Brookfield, 

Stephen Ilartwell, " 

Henry M. Cook, Weare. 

Charles Davis, ClaybanVs. 

Anton Sever, " 

Wm. Olinder, 

Theodore F. Reed, Otto. 

Wiliam Gillan, " 

Henry Dodge, " 

Louis A. Randall, Benona. 

Samufl Wing, Hart. 

Levi Power, " 

The following are the names of those enlisted by liieut. A. Dt'inis: 

Francis Dagle, Pentwater. 

Charles Fletcher, Hart. 

Aaron S. Moonej^ " 

Jesse Mills, 

Charles Scharriett, Weare. 

Nelson Glover, Greenwood. 



52 OCEAXA COUXTY PIONEERS 

This filled the quota, for Oceana County and saved it from draft. 

Following close upon the above reports came "News from Bat- 
tle," which we copy in full: 

"Claybaxks, July 25, 18G4. 
F. W. r.ATZEL, Esq., 

Dear Sir: — Will you i3lease insert the following notices: 

Killed at the battle of the Wilderness, before Richmond, May 11th, 
1864, private Peter S. Chichester, of Co. B, 1st Regiment Michigan 
Sharpshooters, aged 18 years and 7 months. 

Died in Armory Sc^uare Hospital, Washington, D. C, of wounds 
in the head received at the battle of the Wilderness, May 10th, 
1804, private Oliver E. Perry, of Co. B, 1st Regiment ]Michigan S. 
S., aged 18 years. 

Killed, at the battle before Petersburg, Va., June 27th, 1 8G4, pri- 
vate Francis Marion Perry (brother of the above), of Co. B, 1st 
Regiment Michigan S. S., aged 20 years. 

Killed, near Petersburg, Va., July 6th, 1864, Sergeant John Hus- 
ton, of Co. B, 1st Regiment S. S., aged 22 years. 

Thus have fallen, in early life, four young men of much promise. 
All residents of Claybanks, they were intimate associates before 
they left theu' homes for scenes of conflict in defense of our country. 
Alike fired with holy patriotism, they could not be restrained; but 
answering the 'bugle call' and shouting the 'Battle Cry of Freedom' 
they went hand in hand and side by side to meet the foe. How no- 
bly they have accomplished their task, the glorious record of the 
gallant 1st Sharpshooters will attest. 

But they have fallen, nobly fallen, facing the foe, but not to those 
alone who return victors from the field of strife, shall be awarded 
the meed of honor. 

None shine brighter on the scroll of the Nation's glory than the 
names of the noble Ellsworth and the gallant Lyon. Deeply en- 
shrined in the hearts of their countrymen is the memory of those 
who have nobly fallen sacrifices on the Nation's altar. 

Two of them were in regular standing in the M. E. Church, a rela- 
tion which had not been dishonored, while reports from tneir offi- 
cers give intelligence that the others found peace with God not long 
before their death. The hearts of the stricken parents are comfort- 
ed with the thought that, 'though fallen, they have passed from 
scenes of strife below to victory above.' Ira R. A. Wightmax." 

Then came another call for 500,000 troops, and the apportion- 
ment for the county was as follows: Greenwood, 5; Otto, 5; Leroy, 
5; Claybanks, 6; Pentwater, 12 (with a credit of 4); Elbridge, 0; 
Weare, 4; Hart, 9; Benona, 3. Hart was the first town to respond 
with her full quota, and Weare next. 



AND HL'SINKSS MEN OF TO-DAV. 58 

In August of this year Wesley White died of wounds received in 
the battle of the Wilderness. 

The Mud Hex — Charles JMears, under the imi^ression that the 
north and south branches of Pentwater River were navigable if the 
right kmd of a craft was employed for the purpose, set his invent- 
ive genius at work, -which resulted in the building of the famous 
Mud Hen. This boat was scow bottom, twenty-two by fifty-two 
feet, with a large open space in the center. Before the machinery 
■was placed it resembled a large catamaran, except that it was sol- 
id at both ends. In the center open jjlace was a large paddle-wheel, 
a secondhand engine purchased from a Chicago junk shop and a 
mill boiler constituted the machinery. The cost when complete "did 
not exceed five hundred dollars," says Mr. II. C. Flagg, under whose 
directions the boat was constructed. 

It was expected that this novel craft would by reason of its light 
draft and large paddle-wheel, easily crawl over shallow places 
and thus render practicable the navigation of the South Branch, 
at least as far as Hart. The craft was duly launched in the pres- 
ence of many skeptical spectators, but she floated and was pro- 
nounced by all to be 'safe.' Her peculiar build and antics in the 
Avater caused her to be dubbed the "Mud Hen," by which name all 
the old settlers knew her. 

It was not a success in river navigation. It did, however, pos- 
sess great propelling power and for several years was used in tow- 
ing logs and vessels about Pentwater Lake. In fact, it was the first 
tug owned and used on this lake. 

The subsequent history of the Mud Hen is not without interest. 
It was taken by Mr. Mears to Chicago, fitted up as a pleasure craft 
and often chartered to sportsmen going north on a hunting trip. 
Finally some one offered Mr. Mears ten acres of land near Wash- 
ington Heights in exchange for the boat, which he accepted. Inves- 
tigation showed the title to his land to be badly mixed and -conse- 
quently he abandoned all interest in it, not even paying the taxes 
upon it. A number of years later Chicago's rapid growth caused this 
land to increase in value, and some gentlemen having purchased all 
the other titles, finally paid Mr. Mears $12,000 in cash for his title. 
Thus it will be seen that Mr. Mears realized handsomely upon his 
Mud Hen. 

Mysterious Disappearanxe.— Inthe latter part of July this year 
(186i) an old gentleman from the southern part of Michigan came 
to this county "looking land." He was supposed to have consid- 
erable money on his person from the fact that he talked about pur- 
chasing if he found just what suited him. It was about tlie lirst 



54 OCEANA COUNTY PIONEERS 

day of August that he came to the house of H. S. Sayles in Elbridge 
and made inquirj'- concerning lands in that vicinity. Mr. Sayles 
not being at home he started out to find him, following up an In- 
dian trail running east, and this was the last that was seen or heard 
from him. He was a Scotchman and was supposed to have come 
from Washtenaw County. 

An Adventure.— The 1-lth day of October this year jNIrs. W. H. 
Cheney left Pentwater, mounted upon a trusty horse, for her home 
near Hart. As she was aboutamilefromthe village a. man sudden- 
ly sprang from behind some bushes into the road and tried to stop 
her horse by grasping the bridle. He missed his hold, however, and 
caught the martingale inste£id. Mrs. Cheney noticing this gave her 
horse a cut with the whip and started at a gallop, draggingthe man 
some two or three rods. He grabbed hold of her dress in the hope 
of pulling her from the horse, but striking her horse again he was 
obliged to relinquish his hold and fell by t!ie road. She reached 
home all safe and sound, but minus a portion of her dress left in 
the ruffian's clutch. 

County Seat. — The vote on the removal of the county seat to 
Hart, in accordance with the resolution of the Board of Supervis- 
ors, resulted as follows: 

For Ilomovjil. Ag;iiiist. 

C 1 a y b a n k s 6 53 

Weare 39 4 

Greenwood 29 

Pentwater 68 

Otto 2 45 

Leroy 3 51 

Elbridge 15 33 

Hart 73 G 

Benona 23 2 

229 223 

Thus it will be seen that through the kindiy work of Pentwater 
Hart obtained the county seat. 

Hart, 1864. — The building on page 31 w.'us lirst occupied this 
year as a county building. There were only two other buildings in 
the village at this time, one Corbin's boarding house and the other 
a house standing on the lot now occupied by C. E. Croff's residence. 

The first Postmaster of Hart, Wm. H. Leach, received his com- 
mission this year. 

Small j)Ox appeared in Pentwater this year. 

A school house was erected this year, on the southwest corner of 



AND BUSIXE.SS MEN Oi-^ TO-DAV. OO 

section 10, Shelby, beiiij:; the second in the township. This build- 
ing had a board floor and bai'k roof. The first school house was 
built in 1862 on Sec. 18, with logs, elm bark floor and bark roof. 

The first birth in the town of Weare, that of DeWitt C. Gay, oc- 
curs in August of this year. 

School District No. 1, town of Golden, was organized this year. 

In tlie to.wn of Otto, this year, at a barn raising for C. New- 
man, a young man by the name of Edwin Barber, was struck by a 
falling plate and killed. He was the first to be interred in the town 
cemetery. Dii3htheria appeared in thistown, causing severaldcaths 
in the Evans family. 

Oysters High.— The members of the County Board of Supervis- 
ors while in session boarded at IMcNabb's store. It seems that ISIc- 
Nabb had received some oysters but hadn't dished any up to the 
Board as yet. Some of the members had a faiHng for oysters, and 
one evening as the members were discussing the various problems 
of State in the room that was used for general lounging purposes, 
they were startled by the sudden appearance ot the landlord look- 
ing wild and excited. Something serious must have happened— a 

. secret plot— a crime committed— some one killed — a robbery; final- 
ly he recovered, shouting, "Say, you fellers! where's them oysters?" 
Blank expressions of wonder appeared upon the countenances of 
some, but three of the members were noticed to chuckle sliglitly. 
Pointing his finger at the three he said "there you are," and re- 
treated. When the Board assembled the next morning the follow- 
ing bill was among the accounts: 

Oceana County to Landlord, J)r. 

\ To Keg' of Oysters stolen by B., F. and M ■i'S CO 

TliL-re being but nine oystens in tlie Iceg, I dccliict •'"'•^ 

Leaving Balance .'isi 50 

As the members did not wish the matter to go upon the records 
they compromised with him. 

1865.— All the machinery of government is in good working order. 
Settlers are constantly arriving and centers of population begin to 
a^ppear in various parts of the county. The first store is built in 
Hart village this year, the first shingle mill in Pent water. The war 
is closed and the soldiers who escaped its ravages return home 
again. The events of the year are without special interest. The 
liquor selling continues, and Mr. Hyde's temperance efforts re- 
doubled. An excitement over the reported discovery of oil near 
Pentwater is occasioned, but soon subsides to break out again at 
intervals for several years following. The pigeons appear and make 
business brisk during their stay. John Bean, Jr., in June of tins 



56 OCEANA COUNTY PIONEERS 

yearshipsthefirstSciweclshinglesfroniPentwater. TheBoard of Su- 
pervisors purchase the Orange Ward farm of 160 acres, now owned 
by A. D. YanWickle, for $4,800, and engage Mr. and Mrs. Ward as 
overseers of the farm at $50 per month. Goodsell Bros, start a 
hardware store in Pentwater, and a call was made in September 
for a meeting of all the Masons in Oceana County at C. W. Deane's 
office for the purpose of organizing a lodge of that fraternity. 
Peaches and. plums fill the markets. At a meeting of the Board of 
Supervisors in December of this year an attempt was made to re- 
move the county seat to Middlesex which wasdefeated by one vote. 
The first barber shop is opened in Pentwater by Geo. Elms. Gen- 
eral prosperity is enjoyed at the close of the year. 

1866. — Oil excitement breaks out earlj- this year at both Hart 
and Pentwater. Afeeling of rivalry between thetwoplacesbeginsto 
manifest itself. There are now 87 scholars enrolled at Pentwater 
public schools. Another attempt was made this year to organize 
an Agricultural Societj*. On settlement with the County Treasurer 
Oliver Swain, a deficiency in his accounts of §85-4.58 is found, and 
by resolution the Prosecuting Attorney is instructed to collect the 
same of Mr. Swain b\' April following, or prosecute him. A gam- 
bling den is discovered in Pentwater and broken up. Rev. Amos 
Dresser now takes i^art in the temperance work. He reports 336 
names to the Washingtonian pledge. Aug. 14 of this year occui's 
the first meeting of Masons in Pentwater. Aug. 26, the M. E. 
Church (since destroyed by fire) was dedicated. The county sells 
its Poor Farm to A. D. YanWickle for $3,500. The village of Pent- 
water becomes greatly excited over the selling of diseased meat by 
its butcher. Oct. 12 Wm. Tuttle commits suicide. In November 
Goodsell Bros, estabhsh a foundrj- in Pentwater. The year closes 
Avith numerous whisky prosecutions started. 

Anecdote. — During the month of Xovember, 1866, the Hon. A. 
B. Turner, of Grand Eapids, then a> now editor and proprietor of 
the Grand Eapids Eagle, having a cuiiosity to learn something con- 
cerning the new territory north, made a trip through Oceana coun- 
ty in the U. S. mail stage- Being a gentleman of intelligent appear- 
ance, well dressed, and accompanying the mail, making frequent in- 
quiries of the settlers, he was taken to be a government officer and 
as such looked upon as an important personage. Afterwards 
writing of this trip, he says: 

"We draw up at a Postoffice. Here we are glad to get of? and 
warm while the mail is changing. The contents of a large bag are 
emptied on the floor, and the Postmaster and his wife are down in 
the necessary posture, assorting the packages. We are in Oceana 



a:sd business mex of to-day. 57 

county from which we have not heard the result of the election, 
and we Open a conversation thus: 

'Are 5'ou the Postmaster here?' 

Keceiving an affirmative reply, we ask: 

'How are political matters with you?' 

Evidently understanding the question as referrins only to himself 
and family, he promptly answers: 

'We are republicans, sir.' 

'Don't you support President Johnson?' 

'Xo, sir' (very curtly). 

Assuming an air of as much solemnity as possible, we remark 
that the President has a right to the support of the office-holders 
of the country, and that support is expected. 

The P. M. here raises himself to an erect position, full six feet 
high, and giving us a withering look, square in the face, emphatical- 
ly says: 

'Sir, we don't keep princi[)les for sale here; but you can have the 
office if you like.' 

The wife keeps her recumbency, but pauses in her work long 
enough to give us a searching look over her spectacles and ejacu- 
lates: 

'Guess you'll luive hard work to find a Johnson nuinoii this road 
to make a Postmaster of.' 

Our solemnitj" here gives out, but before an explanation can be 
made, to satisfy our friends that we are not an agent of the Presi- 
dent on a 'bread and butter' mission we resume our seat in the 
stage and proceed northward." 

1867 — Februarj'. — Contract for building a new jail was let to H. 
C. Flagg on behalf of Charles Mears for $3,500. At the December 
term of the Board of Supervisors the committee reported the jail 
completed. In accepting it the Board unanimously expressed its 
aj)preciation of the manner in which the job was completed. 

Village of Pextwater.— By special Act of the Legislature, ap- 
proved March 16, 1867, the village of Pentwater became incor- 
l^orated, and on the 8th day of April following held its first elec- 
tion. There were two tickets in the field, viz.: a union ticket, and 
working men's ticket. C. \V. Deane for Pi-esident and Oliver P. 
Cook for Assessor were upon both tickets. The number of votes 
I)olled was 181, and resulted as follows: 

President, C. W. Deane 176 

Scattering 5 

Recorder, H. Douville, W. M 122 

E. B. Flagg, U 59 



58 OCEAXA COUNTY PIONEERS 

Treasurer, John Highland, W. M 109 

Bennett J. Gooclsell, U 71 

Assessor, Oliver P. Cook 181 

Trustees, D. C. Pelton, 2 years, W. M 110 

I. N. Lewis, " " 118 

Wm. H. Merritt " " 89 

Jas. J.Kittriclge, 1 year " 121 

A.Bryant, " " 107 

J. M. Lacy, " " 73 

H. C. Flags, 2 years, U 81 

A. B. Judcl, " " 68 

A. J. Underhill, " " 66 

G.W.Maxwell, 1 year, " 61 

John Bean, Jr., " " 83 

James G. Gray, " " 60 

Scattering 17 

This made the first Board, Deane, Pelton, Lewis, Kittridge, Bry- 
ant, Bean and Merritt. Politically Bean and Merritt were demo- 
crats and the others republican. The result was hailed by the 
workingmen as a great victory, and in the evening, jubilant over 
their success they turned out en masse, formed a procession and 
headed by a martial band marched through the streets cheering 
and firing guns. The procession halted in front of different resi- 
dences of their elected candidates, gave three cheers and marched 
on. This was kept up until about eleven o'clock when the crowd 
dispersed. Thus ended the first- election of the village of Pentwa- 
ter, the first village of the county. 

May 17.— Edwin R. Cobb visits Pentwater and threatens the 
people, residing in the village who trace their titles to Charles A. 
Rosevelt, assignee of Cobb & Rector, with suits. lie had previous- 
ly brought suits claiming that he had been defrauded of his rights 
and property by Rosevelt, but had been defeated. At this time he 
threatened to commence again on another basis. As the matter 
was afterwards adjudicated in both county and U. S. Courts, we 
will give the history of this celebrated legal contest over Pentwater 
titles under a separate head. 

June 18. — DeHaven's Imperial Circus visits Pentwater and as it 
is the first "show" that has ever visited the county, it draws the 
people from all sections. The paper in speaking of the event esti- 
mates that over one-half of the county's population was in Pent- 
water on that occasion. The red men with squaws and pappooses 
were all out in force. 

July 4. — Hart village has its first celebration. It consists of din- 
ner in the woods. s])eaking, )nusic, etc. 



AXD BUSINESS MEN OF TO-DAY. 59 

July 5.— For the first time a daily mail is now enjoyed at Pent- 
water. This improvement in mail service is hailed as an omen of 
future prosperity, and real estate suddenly takes an upward boom. 

Base Ball,.— With the progress of events we here notice the or- 
ganization of a Base Ball Club at Hart, which beins; the first regu- 
larly organized club in the county we herewith give the list of olfi- 
cers, viz.: President, Wm. Wigton; Vice President, Tj. G. Ruther- 
ford; Secretary, W. II. Leach; Treasurer, T. J. Main; Directors, Ed- 
ward Stone, M. A. Luther, John Dagle, John F. Cloud. This club 
was apj)ropriatelj^ named the "Pioneer Base Ball Club." 

CIVILIZING THE INDIANS. 

Through statistics furnished by David K. Foster, himself a half- 
breed and a teacher of the Government school at Crystal, we are 
enabled to ascertain the success of the Government in its efforts to 
civilize the Indians in this section. 

The following account of how the Indians came to this county is 
found in Page's Historj^ viz.: 

"The Indians assembled at Grand Haven early in the fall of 1857 
and were transported to the number of perhaps 700 or 800 with 
their goods to Pentwater by the side-wheel steamer Ottawa, owned 
in Grand Haven. When they landed, as many of them came from 
inland towns, thej^ were much struck by the great sand hills, and 
camped for a time around Pentwater Lake before going up to their 
rv^servation. It was a remarkable sight to see how they would dis- 
port in the sand hills— to see two nearly nude figures lock arms and 
roll over 'and over from the to^D until they would land in the water. 
They^found at that early day around Pentwater plenty of hunting 
and fishing. 

In the summer of 1858 the propeller C. Mears, owned by Charles 
Mears, brought the balance of the Indian bands from Grand Haven 
to Pentwater— about 500 or (300, making m all about 1,300. The 
men rode,.their ]ponies along the beach. The principal chiefs were 
Peshosiky, whose other name was Henry Clay, or the great orator; 
Cob-mo o-sa, i. e., Great Walker; Shaw-be-co-ung, or -wings,' mean- 
ing that he could soar as an orator; Pay-baw-me, who was a Cath- 
olic and a lay reader; Cob-moo-sa being a pagan to the day of his 
death, which happened when he was over 100 years old. Shaw-be- 
co-ung was an Episcopalian, and was a good talker. Louis Gener- 
eau was an interpreter and was half French. He was a Methodist 
Episcopalian, but changed in his old age to Catholic, and married 
Pay-baw-me's widow. Joseph Elliott, who with Genereau lived in 
Elbiidge, was a full-blooded Indian and an interpreter. He was a 
ilethodist, and it is said that he preached with considerable flu- 



60 



OCEANA COUNTY PIOXKERS 



ency. He gave the first sermon ever i-)reached in Pentwater in C. 
Mears' boavding-house, the 'boys' to tlie number of 100 being pres- 
ent, and paying in pork and i)otatoes as their tithe." 

The Government caused Indian school houses to be built, one on 
the northwest corner of Sec. 11, township of Elbridge, called the 
Pay-baw-nie school house, one on the northwest corner of Sec. 17, 
called the Genereau, one on the northeast corner of Sec. 27 of the 
same township called the "Cob-moo-sa," and one in Crystal. S. 
Fletcher had the contract for building these school houses and Josi- 
ah Russell and son George worked with him in constructing; them. 




THE PAY-BAW-ME SCHOOL, HOUSE. 



This was located near H. S. Sayles' place, which has always been 
a favorite place of rendezvous for the red man. The Government 
teachers were James Haley, an Irishman and a strict Catholic who 
came fron; Detroit. Mrs. H. S. Sayles, of Elbridge, and Eliza Foote, 
an estimable lady who now resides in the city of Lansing. 

The Cob-moo-sa school was taught first by the Rev. D. R. Lath- 
am; then by John Bean, Jr., whovv'as followed byMrs. Arial Crosby. 

The Genereau school was taught by W. H. Leach, D. W. Crosby 
and John Smith, the latter being an Indian. 

The Crystal school was taught by D. K. Foster, a half-breed, and 
Charles Selkirk. 

Mr. D. K. Foster gathered statistics showing the enterprise of the 
Indians of INIason and Oceana counties in adopting civilized meth- 
ods, from the first day of July, 1866, to the first day of July, 1867, 



AND BUSINESS MEN OF TO-DAY. 61 

and filed the same with the Government. From his rei)ort we take 
the following: 

Bushels of Wheat raised S25 

" Buckwheat " 150 

Corn " 7J38 

" Potatoes " 11,03L 

" TurniiDS " 37 

" Oats " J, 482 

No. of Ponies 13j[ 

" Cattle 54 

" Swine 16-() 

" lbs. Maple Sugar made 20,000 

" Log Houses built 12(5 

" Frame Houses 2 

" Bark Wigwams 10 

" Deaths 15 

Value Lands Sold $3,220 

1S67 — Fr.uiT.— For several years fruit of a very superior quality 
had been supplying the local markets and exciting the admiration 
of all. It even caused many to predict at this time Oceana'.s great 
future as a fruit producing section, still very few made anj- attempt 
even to cultivate fruit on a scale commensurate with the advanta- 
ges of the county, already apparent. The men who supplied the 
markets with fruit at this time are with one or two exceptions, the 
men who are recognized as the leading horticulturists of today. 

In September of this year wagon loads of i^eaches, plums and 
pears were brought to Pentwater and sold to hookers, merchants 
and peox'le of the village. Myrtle B. High at this time was raising 
plums on section eight in Weare. He had also been very suc- 
cessful in raising peaches on this place. E. B. Burrington, who al- 
so lived in Weare, had an orchard that produced very line peaches, 
and the River House farm then was regarded as the model fruit 
farm. The trees were literally breaking down with peaches, and 
they seemed to bear every year. The choicest varieties came from 
this farm where to-day not a half dozen peach trees can be found, 
and where fruit men of to-day regard. as the most unfavorable lo- 
cality to be found in the county for fruit raising. Mr. Mears ship- 
ped from this farm to Chicago in 1867 over 500 bushels of peaches. 

W. P. Harding, of Weare, also raised a large quantity of fruit 
this year, his pears exciting universal admiration. The River 
House peach orchard above referred to had been set out just five 
years, and this year the average yield was one bushel per tree. 

CoNGREGATioxAE CHLRrii.— In November of this year tiie first 
church bell of the county arrives by vessel and is placed upon the 



62 OCEANA COUXTY PIONEERS 

dock. Every man, woman and child of the village visits the dock 
dui'ing the day and inspects this new evidence of civilization. Each 
visitor tested it by striking it with a hammer or some other hard 
substance, and a continual ding dong was heard all day and late 
in the evening. On the 30th day of Jan., 1868, the new church ed- 
ifice which this bell was to adorn, Avas dedicated with appropriate 
services, the sermon being delivered by the Rev. H. A. Reed, of Mar- 
shall, assisted by several other ministers. Mr. E. D. Richmond 
presented it with a new organ, and the Rev. Amos Dresser was in- 
stalled as the first minister of this church. 

Benona — The township of Leroy is changed to Benona. This 
township is getting to be an important commercial town. A bridge 
pier was built which increased the trade largely, and was said to 
be one of the best on the lake shore at the time. Robert Rogers 
was the builder of this i)ier, which cost $12,000. When completed 
thei-e was fifteen feet of water at the end of it. Four steam vessels 
stopped at the pier dail5^ There was a good wagon road from this 
point to Shelby, Otto, Greenwood, and other points of the county 
interior. Building progresses finely, and village lots are selling rap- 
idly. 

Sundry Notes. — In July H. H. Woods puts in the first soda foun- 
tain at Pentwater. In November the schooner Kate Doak is wreck- 
ed and two lives lost. 




CHAPTER Vlil. 



RECORD OF EVEXTS-ISGS to 1873. 

Teachers' Institute.— The first organized session of tlie teachers 
of the county as a County Teachei't* Institute was held at Pentwa- 
ter, the session concluding on the second day of January, 18(38. 
It was largely attended, excited great interest, and gave a new im- 
petus to educational matters all over the county. 

There is little of special importance that occurs this year, and 
^Ye condense briefly the minor events as they occur, viz.: In Decem- 
ber a winter stage line is established between Pentwater and White- 
hall by Roddy & Collins.— A. M. U. express office is opened in Pent- 
water with E.D.Richniond as agent. —The Chapter R. A.M. organized 
at Pentwater. — Asash and blindfactory running, Nickersoiut Lewis 
props.— We hear of the firm of Maxwell, Sands it Co. quite often in 
connection with the manufactui'e of shingle. — A Lodge of Good 
Templars is organized and officers installed at Hart. — The coldest 
day of the winter of 1867-8 the thermometer showed 2^^° below ze- 
ro. — Agricultural and Mechanical Association organized at Hart. — 
Pentwater is designated a Port of Entry, and L. D. Grove ai^point- 
ed U. S. Deputy Collector of Customs. — The Oceana Times enlarged 
to a seven column folio. — E. Rice starts a newspaper in Pentwater 
named the Democrat. — The schooner Travis, of Pentwater, wreck- 
ed Sept. 2, off Grand Haven, and two lives lost.— Goodsell Bros.' 
foundry burned Oct. 31. — T. R. Evans organizes a brass band in 
Pentwater. — In December Goodsell Bros, commenced rebuilding the 
foundry. — Dec. 26 John Rows was drowned in Pentwater Lake. — 
The salary of the Circuit Judge being only .$.500, the Board of Su- 
pervisors votes SlOO to the Hon. Moses B. Hopkins. 

1869— Hart. — This village has increased in population and busi- 
ness since our last mention of it. — Messrs. Culver it Slater have a 
hardware stoi-e here with a large trade.— M. R. Chadwick has built 
a building for a drug store.— Moore's Hotel is running with B. 
Moore as landlord.— White it Knox are engaged in a general mer- 
chandise business.— J. K. Flood it Co. are running a drug store.— 
B. F. Huff is engaged in general merchandise trade.— Also W. H. 
Cheney, M. L. it W. Leach, and Stover and Britton have a boot 



66 



OCEAXA COUNTY PIONEERS 



and shoe shop. — The county business in all its departments has in- 
creased, -which makes business at the county seat lively during ses- 
sions of the Circuit Court or Board of SuiDervisors. — April 30 of 
this year the Oceana County Journal appears with Judson Ij. Pal- 
miter as editor and proprietor. 
Mr. Palmiter had been many 
years an editor at Kendall ville, 
Indiana, and having purchased 
the material of the Ionia Dem- 
ocrat, brought it to Hart and 
started the publication of the 
Oceana County Journal, a sev- 
en colun?nfolio,and republican 
in politics. This pjaper had 
what was then styled "patent 
insides," and was thus the first 
county paper to make use of 
ready print sheets. Jlr. Palmi- 
ter, who thus appears before 
Oceana County people for the 
first time, was destined to be- 
come a prominent factor in its 
development. A sketch of his 
life appe;irs under another head. 

JL'BSON L. PALMITER. 




Railicoad Talk. — The people became excited over projected I'ail- 
roads having Oceana county as an objective point. The Lansing, 
Ionia tt Pentwater Railroad began early in the season to coquette 
with the people for right of way, bonus, etc. Later the Grand Rap- 
ids & Northern road sent its agents out among the people, and 
then the L. S. R. R. jDresented its advantages and claims. Ea-ch 
line had its friends. Meetings were called and committees ap- 
pointed who held conferences with the railroad officials for the dif- 
ferent lines reported, but nothing was done beyond making surveys 
and a great amount of speculation. The year dies and with it all 
hope of securing a railroad. 

Judge Hopkixs.— In September of this year Judge Moses B.Hop- 
kins was taken ill and the next regular term of Court was not held. 
On the 31st day of October he died. His death was due to a cold 
caught by exposure to inclement weather in making his appoint- 
ments. A sketch of his life ajjpears in the chapter entitled "Bench 
and Bar." His death left the office of Circuit Judge vacant. 



AND BUSINESS MEX OF TO-DAY. 



67 




■t-<^ 



'^' a 



AUGUSTINE H. UIDDiNGS. 



Augustine H. (.iiddings was ap- 
pointed Circuit Judge to fill the 
vacancy occasioned by the death 
of Judge Hopkins. Mr. Giddings 
was a gentleman of commanding 
appearance, courteous in his 
bearing, firm in his convictions 
of dutj% dignified upon thebench, 
impartial and just in liis decis- 
ions. Pie was a graduate of Yale 
College, and was at the time of 
hisai^pointment regarded as one 
of tlie brightest and most prom- 
ising lawyers of the State. His 
appointment was a happy one 
for this county, as it at once ele- 
vated the standjird of legal eth- 
ics and secured for the Courts of 
law the proper respect of litigants and attornej'S. 

The Xkwsfapers.— From the time the Oceana County Journal 
was first issued at Hart, a bitter rivalry began to be manifested be- 
tween that ijaper and the Oceana Times. This rivalry manifested 
itself in sc;ithing editorials by the respective editors, bristling with 
strong personal allusions. This was kept up until Nov. 1st of this 
year, when Judson Palmiter, of the Journal purchased the Times 
and forming a copartnership) with Amos Dresser, Jr., on the 12th 
day of Novembei' the Times appeared with Palmiter it Dresser as 
proprietors, and Amos Dresser, Jr., as editor. The iiersonal 
sketches of these i)ersons appear elsewhere under head of ''The 
Press." The Democrat, which was started the year before, did not 
survi\e the year out, and 1870 dawns with the two papers. Times 
and Journal, under practically the same management. 

Mike Hayes. Manj-^of the old settlers will remember this char- 
acter. He was a powerfully built man, quiet and liarmless when 
sober, and a good hand in the lumber woods, but a perfect terror 
to the community when intoxicated. He used to visit Pentwater 
periodically, fill up with liquor and then set about destroying prop- 
erty, fighting and otherwise terrorizing the people. His total disre- 
gard of the consequences of his acts made him an indivi(bial to be 
feared, and officers were loth to make complaint or attempt to ar- 
rest him. Finally, however, about the latter part of July in this 
year, a warrant was issued for "big Mike" as he was called, and 
placed in the hands of James Roddy, Constable, himself a powerful 
man and without fear. A tragedy was expected when Roddy start- 



68 OCEANA COUNTY PIOXEEKS 

ed to make tlie ai'rest, but for some reason Mike quietly surrender- 
ed wit J. out a struggle. Eoddy took possession of a large club which 
Mike had and started with him for the Justice's office. On the way 
Mike slyly drew a lai'ge knife and was slyly watching a favorable 
opportunity of plunging it into the officer's breast, when some one 
warned Roddy of his peril. He quickly turned about and brought 
the club he had taken from Mike upon his head with terrific force, 
felling him to the ground like an ox, making an ugly scalp wound 
and rendering him unconscious. He was finally taken to the Doc- 
tor's, his wounds dressed, then to the Justice's office, where he 
plead guilty and was fined. This event seemed to break his spirit, 
and although afterwards he was several tijnes arrested for disor- 
derly conduct, his power as a terrorizor had x'assed. Licjuor made 
a total wreck of him in a few years, and he finally dropped out of 
the communit3^ Sevtiral years later report came that he was dead 
but this was denied by some who were well acquainted with him. 

1870— The Railroad.— The ^Michigan Central through James F. 
Joy, took hold of the raih-oad project and made the citizens a 
]3roposition, which at a public meeting called for the purpose, was 
fully endorsed and all other projects at once disappeared. The 
name of the railroad was Grand Rapids & Lake Shore. This Com- 
pany was organized in February, 1869, made survey of route from 
Grand Rapids to Whitehall. The Company proposed if $80,000 
stock should be pledged^ to organize in February, 1870, a road 
through to Pentwater. In January of this year the following stock 
was reported pledged: 

Name. Address. Shares. Amt. 
Outside the County 163 $16,300 

A. A. Darling Hart 2 .200 

L.G.Rutherford " 2 200 

Barnard Putney " 1 100 

John Grosse " 1 100 

W. J. Britton " 1 100 

W. D. Markham " J 100 

James K. Cooper " 1 100 

Richard Chadwick " 1 100 

E. L. Craw " 2 200 

C.P.Miller '^ 1 100 

Frank Markham ,, 1 100 

J. W. Hiles " 2 200 

B. J. Beers " 2 200 

David Benham " 2 200 



Carried Forward 183 18,300 



AND BUSINESS MEN OF TO-DAY. (39 

^ame. Address. Shares. Amt. 

Brought Forward 183 $18,300 

E. B. Clark Pentwater 3 300 

A. Dresser, Jr " 3 ,'}()q 

A. J. Griffin " o 200 

L. W. Sieffy " 2 200 

G. W. Imus " 2 200 

E. L. Craw " is 1,800 

J. Bean, Jr " 7 700 

E. N. Dundass •' 2 200 

A. Turner " 5 50O 

L.E.Payne " 1 loo 

B. J. Goodsell ■' 3 300 

Charles Flood " 2 200 

Samuel A. Browne " 18 1,800 

James G. Gray " 2 200 

A. J. Underhill " 3 300 

Geo. Goodsell " 3 300 

H. C. Flags " 3 300 

E. Nickerson " 2 200 

R. C. Kellogg " 2 200 

E. L. Craw " 11 1.100 

R. F. Dundass " 1 300 

James Ellsworth " 1 100 

S. W. Ponieroy " 1 100 

J. Reid ^' o 500 

L.D. Grove " 2 200 

E. L. Craw " 5 500 

A.Bryant " 3 300 

E. L. Craw " 5 500 



Total 300 $30,000 

A subscription is also in circulation, pledging additional aid to 
the road, provided it shall be completed to Pentwater on or before 
the 1st day of June, 1871. 

At the meeting in Pentwater where the above Pentwater stock 
was taken, John Bean, Jr., A. J. Underhill were appointed dele- 
gates to attend the annual meeting at Grand Rapids on Feb. Snl, 
and James G. Gray and H. C. Flagg a committee to draft letter of 
instructions and credentials. The delegates attended and return- 
ing, made the following report, viz.: 

Pentwater, Feb. 5, 1870. 
Mr. Ei:)iTOR:— Having been chosen a delegate to attend a nu-eting 
of Stockholders and Directors of the Grand Rapids & Lake Shore 
Railroad Company, convened at the city of Grand Rapids the 3rd 



70 OCEANA COUNTY PIONEERS 

inst., I ask permission to communicate, through your paper, to the 
people of Pentwater, an account of the proceedings of that meeting 
and also what api^ears to me to be the prospect of our getting a 
railroad into Pentwater. 

After making inquiries as to the propositions and purposes of the 
Michigan Southern Raih-oad Company, I came to the conclusion 
that it would not pay to seek after new i3rojects, but ascertain if 
the Grand Eapids ct Lake Shore Eailroad Company had the men 
and means to carrj- out their project of building their road. I have 
become well satisfied that the Company is composed of good sub- 
stantial jnen; that the Michigan Central Railroad Com^Dany is in 
earnest about the building of this road; and that it rests with the 
people of Oceana County to say whether it will be built or not. We 
are asked to raise by municipal donation, ten per cent, upon our 
assessed valuation of the towns along the line, to aid in preparing 
the road bed between this pkice and Whitehall; and after having 
shown a disposition to do what we are able, I have no fear but 
that the balance of the funds necessary to complete the grading of 
the road, will be suiDplied on very short notice. I am assured from 
sources that we can rely upon, that the balance will be subscribed 
in forty-eight hours, after it is found to be necessarj' in order to 
make up a deficiency of seventy-five or one hundred thousand dol- 
lars to complete the road from here to Whitehall. 

The meeting at Grand Rapids was well attended? All api^eared 
to be in earnest, and their looks and actions meant business. The 
meeting was called to order by Hon. Lowell Hall, President. Di- 
rectors ]present, W. F. Wood, H. J. Hollister, Thos. Hiffon, Geo. 
Sinclair, and represented by proxy S. R. Sanfoid, Chauncy Davis, 
and several others. There was in attendance — several stockhold- 
ers, a good delegation from Hart, and Mr. Bean and myself from 
Pentwater. The delegations from Pentwater and Hart were invit- 
ed to state their views in regard to the extension of this road, and 
as to the probable amount of aid that would be given: which was 
responded to by Bean and myself, and Mr. Russell and Rutherford 
from Hart, stating that aid by the way of stock subscription and 
municipal donation, could be relied upon to the amount of eightj^ 
thousand dollars in Oceana CountJ^ Several gentlemen stated 
that the proposition of Oceana County was liberal, and if that 
amount could be relied upon, no ditficultj- would be found in ob- 
taining subscribers for the balance of funds necessary to complete 
the grading and laying of ties. The charter was then amended so 
as to read as follows: — 

'The said railroad is to commence at such point in the city of 
Grand Rax»ids, as the President and Board of Directors shall deter- 



AND BLSIXICS.-; MKX OF TO-JiAY. 71 

mine; running thence to the village of Lauiont, thence to tlie village 
of Nunica, thence to Fruitport, thence to ^Muskegon, thence to the 
village of Whitehall, thence to the village of Pentwater, bj' the way 
of section seventeen in township of Hart, Oceana County.' 

A committee of three was aj)pointed to draft by-laws and jiresent 
same at the next meeting of stockholders. L. Patterson, IT. J. 
Hollister, and Mr. Nelson were named as such committee. 

The President and Mr. W. F. Wood were appointed as commit- 
tee to employ Mr. Brewster, to commence the survey immediately, 
between Whitehall and Pentwater. 

The Secretary was directed to notify all the stockholders not 
present, of the meeting to be held on the 9th inst. 

One Director was apjjointed for Hart, and one for Pentwater, 
which will bg chosen at the ne.xt meeting. It now remains for us of 
Oceana County to do what we are able to do in this matter, and 
we need have no fear as to the result, knowing as we do, that we 
have the Michigan Central Railroad Company to back us up, and 
that it is their object and purpose to reach Pentwater harbor. 

Respectfully Yours, A. J. Undkrhili.." 

On the 17th of February Ransom Gardner, in the interest of the 
Lake Shore R..R., visited Pentwater. A mass meeting was called 
and he stated the advantages to the county of his line. He was ac- 
companied and assisted by Senator Williams, of Allegan, E.P.Fer- 
ry, of Grand Haven, and L. G. Mason, of Muskegon. The citizens 
desired Mr. Gardner to make his loroposition in writing, which he 
did as follows, viz.: 

"Cosmopolitan Hotel, Whitehall, ]\Iich., Feb. 17, 1S70. 
To the Citizens of Pentwater— Gentlemen : 

Providing your people decide to give your aid and undivided 
suiDport in favor of Our Road, upon receiving official notice of such 
decision, and the aid being secured to the legal amount allowed to 
be voted by the resi:)ective towns through which we i^ass, and such 
reasonable amount of stock subscriptions as you may be able to 
take, we shall at once commence the construction of Our Road 
north from Muskegon, and we are able to pledge you its comple- 
tion to your place upon the same liberal terms for traffic and trav- 
el, as we have already secured, and at as early a date as the time 
already named, viz.: Oct. 1, 1871, and earlier if possible. 

It now rests with you when we shall commence. 

Respectfullv Yours, etc., R. Gakdneu, 

Pres't M. L. S. R. R. Co."' 

Having obtained this letter, correspondence was had with Mr. 
Joy, and as a result the Grand Rapids and Lake Shore R. R. pledg- 
ed the completion ot the road through to Pentwater by July 1, 
1871, and at a meeting held in Hart, March 21, at which Josiah 



72 OCEAXA COUNTY PIONEERS 

Russell was Chairman, the G. R. & L. S. R. R. was decided upon as 
the one the people would support. But it seems that the jjeoi^le 
were still divided in their preferences, and another meeting was 
called at Pentwater early in April, at which it was practically de- 
cided to vote the aid for the G. R. & L. S. R. R. The result of the 
vote at the polls was largely in favor of aid to the railroad, and 
this settled all further controversy. The contracts were let for 
grading, and active work all along the proposed route commenced. 

Shortly after the election voting bonds to the railroad, the Su- 
preme Court decided the law permitting such action unconstitution- 
al, which had a tendency to discourage further efforts in building. 

Private subscriptions were at once solicited and the work pro- 
gressed. 

During the season an agreement was entered into between the 
three companies on the shore of Lake Michigan between Manistee 
and New Bufialo, to consolidate under one management. The road 
between New Bufialo and Pentwater to be completed Jan. 1, 1871, 
and the link between Pentwater and Manistee to be completed af- 
terwards. The new organization to be known as the Chicago & 
Michigan Lake Shore Railroad Co. 

The am.ount of aid voted at the spring election and affected by 
the Supreme Court decision was $16,300. The Company agreed to 
accept $10,000 in stock and donation outside of the amounts giv- 
en by S. A. Browne, Charles Mears and Maxwell & Caswell and to 
complete ifc by June 1. 1871. -Great rivalry existed between Pent- 
water and Hart, and through the influence of some of the lea.ding 
Pentwater citizens the line of the proposed road did not touch 
Hart village and reached Pentwater on the south side of Pentwa- 
ter Lake. The road was graded and trains run to Pentwater dur- 
ing the early part of 1872. In 1881, the name of the road was 
changed to the Chicago & West Michigan Railway Company. La- 
ter, Hart's enterprising citizens, by subscribing $12,000 and se- 
curing right of way and depot grounds, induced the Company to 
build a spur from Mears to Hart four miles long. 

The Chicago & West Michigan Railway Co. is one of the most 
powerful railroad corporations in the State. 

Hesperia Village, 1870. — Two years prior to this date a single 
log cabin on the river bank marked the site of the village of Hes- 
peria. 1870 finds it with about fifty buildings and two hun- 
dred inhabitants. There are three dry goods stores, owned by 
Weaver & Co., D. J. Foster, and A. P. Bigelow; a grocery and pro- 
vision store, owned by L. P. Whitney ct Co.; a shoe shop, a black- 
smith shop and a saw mill; a three-story hotel with J. W. Bowen, 
j)ro]prietor. The village is located upon the line between Oceana 



AND BUSINESS MEN OF TO-DAY. 73 

and Newaygo counties, Main street running with the Hue. It is 
putting forth every energy to secure a raih'oad. 

Orders at a Premium.— Pentwater, in common with most lum- 
bering towns at this time, Avhen navigation was closed had little 
money in circulation. "Orders" for goods drawn by one firm upon 
another, and "due bills" formed a large i^art of the circulating me- 
dium. A merchant from anothervillage visited Pentwater, and in 
conversation with a resident noticed one of these "orders" in his 
hand. 

"What's that?" he inquired. 

"That IS Pentwater currencj'," was the reply. 

"We don't have any such our way," remarked the merchant, 
ready for a bargain. "What'll you take for it?" 

"Four dollars," was the reply. 

The merchant noticing that it was drawn for eight dollars, and 
having heard of great discounts offered for cash, concluded to in- 
vest and counted out the money, without thinking to glance at the 
back where appeared an indorsement of four dollars and ten cents. 
He did not discover the joke until he presented his order in pay- 
ment for eight dollars' worth of trade and had to come down with 
four dollars and ten cents in addition to his order. 

Politics and the Times.— The Oceana Times at this i^eriod ap- 
peared with Palmiter S: Dresser as proprietors, and Mr. Dresser 
editor and manager. Both were republican. The regular republi- 
can convention to nominate county oliicers was held and consider- 
able strife was manifest and bitterness engendered by the respect- 
ive candidates. There were forty-three votes cast and the follow- 
ing ticket was nominated, viz.: Sheriff, Wm. Webb; Clerk and Pteg- 
ister, Daniel W. Crosby; Treasurer, John R. Butler; Prosecuting 
Attorney, J. M. Fiice; Circuit Court Commissioner, F. W. Ratzel; 
Surveyor,. Xelson Green; Coroners, Joseph Walker and Louis Gen- 
ereau. 

At this time Mr. Dresser accepted and published articles written 
by F. W. Eatzel in answer to articles appearing in the Oceana Co. 
Journal, published by Mr. Palmiter, and as the above ticket did 
not give general satisfaction, a bolt was oi-ganized in which Mr. 
Dresser took part, and which resulted in nominating another tick- 
et, styled the independent ticket, as follows: Sheriff, Ilervey S. 
Sayles; Clerk and Register, Amos Dresser, Jr.; Treasurer, P. R. Cii- 
dy, and the rest of the republican ticket was renominated. Messrs. 
Sayles, Crosby and Butler were elected. Immediately after the in- 
dependent convention, war broke out between Messrs. Palmiter & 
Dresser, which culminated later in the year by Mr. Palmiter ob- 



74 OCEAXA COUNTY PIOXEEns 

taining an injunction prohibiting jNIr. Dresser from publisliing 
the Times. Mr. Dresser obtained a like injunction against Mr. Pal- 
miter, and for some sixty days no paper was published in Pentiva- 
ter. Jan. 20, 1871, however, Mr. Dresser having obtained through 
the efforts of friends sutficient funds had purchased new material, 
retaining the old subscription list, issued the first copy of the East 
Shox'e News, an eight column tolio, and sent it to old subscribers. 
The bitterness engendered between the two partners continued for 
several years, and the matter was brought before the Courts sever- 
al times, but never disi.)0sed of. A compromise was effected which 
settled all the legal questions involved. The Times material which 
came to Mr. Palmiter's possession, was in 1872 used in starting 
the Times again at Pentwater, with Wm. Warner as editor. In the 
spring of 1873 Mr. Palmiter sold the plant to W. S. Piatt and W. 
Sutherland. Mr. Sutherland sold to G. E. Mathews, and the Times 
continued to be published by this firm, until in the spring of 1874, 
when it was removed to Fremont Center and used in publishing the 
Fremont Times. 

Mr. Dresser continued the publication of the News until May 12, 
1871, Avhen he associated with himself J. E. Rastall, who, however, 
only remained until December of the same yea;-. Jan., 1872, Clark 
Taylor, of Ionia, became half owner with Mr. Dresser. The name 
of the paper was in May, 1872, clianged to Pentwater News. In 
Jan., 1873, Mr. Taylor was succeeded by A. T. Lyon, of Penn Yan, 
N. Y. Jan., 1874, the form of the paper was changed to a six col- 
umn quarto. In Dec, 1874, Lyon retired, and in Nov., 1875, W. 
E. Porter appeared as proprietor vrith Mr. Dresser. He sold his in- 
terest to W. J. Canfield, in Feb., 187(3, who in Oct., 1879, purchas- 
ed IMr.Dresser'sinterestandconducted thepublication until Mai-ch, 
1880, when he sold to L. M. Hart wick, the present editor and pro- 
prietor. Jan. 1, 1888, S. Andrus purchased a half interest in the 
plant, but sold out to his partner, Mr. Hartwick, in September of 
the same year. 

Chief Joseph Pay-baw-me died on the 4th day of May, 1870. A 
portrait and sketch of his life will n .)pear elsewhere. 

1870— The Board of Supervisors meet this year with sixteen 
towns represented. The committee on the matter of Mr. Swain, a 
former Treasurer reported $600 paid and $399.53 still due. 

1871.— After the completion of the jail building in 1868, the up- 
per story was made use of. by the county for holding terms of Cir- 
cuit Court, meetings of Board of Supervisors .and other public bod- 
ies. This year the Board of Supervisors ordered the building of an 
addition to the jail building. In June of this year the county pur- 
chased of Jacob Schrumpf 120 acres of land, including certain chat- 



AXD BUSINESS MEX OF TO-DAY. 75 

tels Upon it for the sum of $5,200, to be used for County Poor 
Farm. 

Accidents and Incidents.— Jean. 20th Wm. Maynard, of Clay- 
banks, was helping Charles Passenger, of Shelby, dig a well. They 
had got down about seventy-one feet when Mr. Passenger conclud- 
ed not to go any deeper, and they commenced taking up the curb- 
ing. Mr. Maynard was in the bucket at work taking out the curb- 
ing from the bottom and had got up to within thirty-five feet of the 
toj), when the sand commenced caving in from behind the curbing. 
This let the curbiijg where Mr. Maynard was working loose, and be- 
fore assistance could be rendered the well filled up, burying him. 
Plis lifeless body was not reached until the evening of tlie 23r<:l of 
January. He was found standing in the bucket as though in the 
act of taking up curbing. 

On the 2-J:th day of April, the same year, H. H. Cole, of Crystal, 
went down into his well thirty-two feet deep, to recover a bucket 
which had been accidentally dropped. He stepped on one of the 
bottom stones and it gave waj'' and the whole well caved in upon 
him, settling down six feet from the toj^, thus making a depth of 
twenty-six feet of earth and stones above him. D. R. Walters, a 
scientific well. digger came and cautiouslj^ removed the stones and 
earth above him and in twelve and one-half hours reached him. 
When found a stone weighing 25 lbs. was resting directly on his 
head, and stones and earth were pressing him on all sides as close 
as could be, from his feet to his shoulders. Strange to say he had 
his senses during the wliole of the time that elapsed before his re- 
lief, and for four hours before he was reached he could be heard 
X-raying, and by conversing with him his exact situation learned. 
When released from his perilous j)Osition he was found to be bruis- 
ed but not seriously injured, and is today alive and a resident of 
Crystal township. He attributes his deliverance "directly to the 
help of God." 

On the night of JNIarch the ninth, fire broke out in Bacon & Jen- 
sen's store, Pentwater, and speedily spread, destroying the build- 
ings on the south of it until all the buildings on the west side 
of Hancock street, from Fifth street to the Postoflice were destroy- 
ed, being five buildings. Three buildings on the same ground were 
burned in 1874, and the entire block was destroyed by fire in Sep- 
tember, 1889. 

Small Pox.-On thellth/layof November, astranger madeappli- 
cationforaroomat the Northwestern Hotel, I'entwater, (the buikl- 
ingwhich has been remodeled and is now the bankbuilding) kept by 
W.S.Dumont. His apijearance indicated that he was very poor and 
sick. Mr. Dumont, after seeing him comfortably provided for, se- 



76 ocEAXA cou>;ty pioneers 

cured the services of Dr. Bills, who treated him for an affection of 
the throat -with which he appeared to be suffering. Later in the 
day he grew worse and during the night died. Upon examination 
of his effects, a coarse bag containing seventeen twenty dollar gold 
pieces was found, and a pocket book containing $8.50 in currency. 
A pocket memorandum book was found upon which was the name 
of John Thuln, and another inemorandum indicating that he had 
traveled in California, Louisiana, and elsewliere. He was buried 
Sunday following, many citizens accomjpanying his remains to the 
grave. Afterwards the photographer, Mr. Justus Koon, who took 
a photograph of the dead stranger, was taken witli small pox and 
died. Mr. Walradth and wife of the hotel were also taken with it 
and died. The undertaker and many others who visited the place, 
as well as all tlie inmates of the hotel, were taken with it, but after 
a time recovered. There were fifty-one cases, all told, in Pentwa- 
ter. There were also cases in Golden, Crystal and Ferry. Bills 
known as the small jjox bills were xjresented to the Board of Su- 
pervisors for allowance as follows: Pentwater, $2,930.98, and 
other towns bringing the total to $3,666.01, which after much di- 
plomacy and many investigations was allowed. 

On the 30th day of December, this year, the telegraph linie having 
been completed through to Manistee, the first message was trans- 
mitted from Pentwater and the first message received at Pentwater. 
A Miss Casto was the first operator. She was succeeded by M. A. 
Rice, the present operator, in May, 1872. 

1872. — The Eldked Shingle Mile. — The largest shingle mill in 
the State, and reputed as being the largest in the U. S.in the spring 
of 1872, was known as the Eldred mill of Pentwater. It contained 
nine shingle machines and its daily capacity was 270,000. The 
mill buildings consisted of two j)arts, one 50x80 feet, and the other 
30x100 feet. It was located near the place now occupied by the 
Chicago & West Michigan Railway Co.'s water tank. In connection 
with the mill was a large boarding house and several dwelling hous- 
es for the employes. Eighty men and twenty girls Avere emj)loyed 
in the mill. On the night of May 6th this large mill took fire and 
was entirely consumed. It was not rebuilt and its loss was a se- 
vere blow to Pentwater. Pentwater had recently purchased the 
steam fire engine Oceana, and this was the first fire occurring after 
its purchase. It was x^owerless to save the mill, but it did save the 
other buildings near it. 

Bank. — The first bank in the county was started by J. G. Gray 
and Rice & Ambler, under the name of Gray Bros. & Co., in the fall 
of 1870 and was kept in the rear end of Gray's drug store, now the 



AND BUSINESS MEN OP TO-DAY. 77 

P. 0. building. Afterwards I. J. Gray purchased J. G. Gray's interest 
and moved the bank into tlie httle building now occupied by M. A. 
Rice as a jewelry store. In the spring of 1872 Samuel A. Browne 
& Co. became interested in this institution. It was then organized 
as the Oceana County Bank, S. A. Browne elected President, W. E. 
Ambler Vice President, and I. J. Gray Cashier. In 1875 S. A. 
Browne and W. E. Ambler retired. In 1877 Messrs. F. Nielsen and 
W. E. Ambler became the sole proprietors of this bank with all its 
franchise, having purchased the interest of I. J. Gray. The name was 
changed to that of Nielsen & Co. Mr. Nielsen acted as cashier and 
general manager. Being a gentleman of well defined business hab- 
its, strictly honest, accurate, and having the confidence of the com- 
munitj^the business under his management has increased until the 
firm of Nielsen & Co. ranks as one of the first houses in the county 
as regards its financial standing. This firm was the first to build 
a fire and burglar proof vault, and to adopt the now popular time 
lock. 

TuE Wreck of the Schooner Souvenir. — On the night of Nov. 
26, 1872, the weather being mild and iDleasant, the schooners Souve- 
nir and ]Minnie Corlett, owned in Pentwater and manned from this 
port, left harbor loaded, boundforChicago. Theformer wasladened 
with 800,000 shingles, and the latter with lumber in the hold and 
sciuare timbers on deck. At about 11 o'clock p. m. the wind veer- 
ed suddenly to the northwest and soon increased to a terrific gale, 
accompanied with blinding snow and the mercury dropped to zero. 
The next morning the Souvenir was discovered near the Claybanks 
south of Ludington, going on the outer bar ^Yith one man on deck 
at the wheel, but no one else in sight. There was no life crew to 
help, and the sea would not permit the venture to reach the vessel. 
Those on shore signalled the man on deck to tie a line about his 
body and let the other end fioat ashore. He signalled back' "No," 
either being unable to make the effort or thinking it useless. About 
noon Wm. Girard, the lighthouse keeper at Ludington, succeeded 
in reaching the vessel in a small boat, going alone, no one having 
the courage to accompany him. He found the man yet alive but 
unconscious, and he breathed but a few moments afterwards. He 
was the last of the crew, the rest were all gone. The rigging and 
deck load were gone and the spars had fallen aft and still remained 
on deck. It was Frank Whitcomb who stood at the wheel and 
perished in sight of land and help. The crew was as follows: Chas. 
Craine, Captain; Frank Whitcomb, INIate; John Perry, Steward; 
Charles Dagle, Peter Hallene, Puchard Moore and Thomas Thayer, 
seamen. 

The Minnie Corlett being scow built, washed high and dry upon 



7S OCEAXA COUXTY PIOXEEKS 

the shove and all escaped with their lives, hut some with hadly fro- 
zen feet and hands. Peter Drevis, now a resident of Pentwater was 
on bo'ard the Corlett and had his limbs and ears badly frozen. 

The event was described in verse by Prof A. J. Woods, of the 
Pentwater Union Schools, as follows: 

THE LOSS OF THE SOUVENIR. 

Gone was summer witli its sunshine, witli its mild and favoring gales, 
And the cliilling blast of autumn with its suow and sleet prevails; 

Fierce and still more fierce the west wind beat against our wave- washed shore; 
And the lake gave fearful warning none must tempt its dangers more. 

But the gallant hardy seamen, used to toil, to dangers bred, 
Laugliing at the winds and billows, viewing storms witli naught of dread,— 

Heeded not the warning given, manned their gallant craft once more, 
Bade adieu to friends and kindred, and prepared to (luit the shore. 

^^'hile, as if to lure them onw^'d, milder blew the winds that day. 
And the raging, restless billows sunk again to sportive play; 

And to those who watched and waited for their loved ones came no fear. 
When by brave men manned and guided, sailed the gallant Souvenir. 

But no man can read the secrets Nature chooses to withhold ; 

"Winds and waters scorn man's prowess and refuse to be controlled; 
And before the uigh.t was ended, ere they reached their destined port. 

Winds and waves in all their fury made the fated bark their sport. 

What those brave boys met and suffered through that long and fearful uiglit, 
Wlien the mad sea came upon them in its wild, resistless miglit, 

How they toiled, till chilled and helpless, powerless to combat tlie waves. 
They were swept from olf their vessel, and consigned to watery graves. 

\\'hether all went down togetlier, or were s\\ept off one by one; 

Wliether in tlie night tl;ey perished, or held out till rise of sun;— 
God in mercy only knowetli, it is not for us to know, 

Best it is we may not fathom every fearful sight of \voe. 

All we know is, that ere midday, torn, dismantled, tempest-tossed, 
At the sport of winds ami billows, there was thrown upon oin- coast,— 

All that evermore might greet us, of that vessel staunch and true. 
Which but yesternight departed, with tlie Souvenir from view. 

Of the seven brave men who manned lier, only one now trod the deck, 
W'hen uiwn the shore she drifted, an imsiglitly, .shapeless wreck; 

And he, too, when home seemed nearer, when the help of man seemed nigli. 
Bruised and crippled, chilled and helpless, he could only gasp and die. 

]Mourn we for the loved departed, taken in their pride away; 

iJIourn we witli the stricken kindred who are with us here to-day. 
;May we be by grace enabled, as our liearts witli anguish swell. 

To take home the warning given, knowing "God dotli all things well." 

1873— Hemlociv Bakk Exteact.— Messrs. Johiison & Goodell vis- 
ited the central and northern portion of Michigan with a patent 
process for extracting the liquid from Hemlock bark, which extract 
it was said was all that wAs necessary to be u.sed in tanning hides, 
etc. They proposed to start factories, put in local managers, etc. 
It ]promised big money and quite a number from Pentwater invest- 
ed in the Hemlock Bark Extract business. After about six- 



AXD BUSINESS MEN OF TO-DAY. 79 

ty days, however, the bottom dropped out of the enterprise and 
those who invested began to investigate, and although the patent- 
ees made good promises, the enthusiasm died out and in a year's 
time the enterprise dropped and the patentees failed. The prod- 
uct wouldn't sell. 

M. E. Church Dedicated at Hart.— The M. E. Church Trustees 
at Hart had erected a new church. On the eighth day of February 
there was an indebtedness of $800, and it was estimated that it 
would require $300 to finish the tower. Doctor Perrine, of Albion 
College, came and on Sunday, the ninth day of February preached 
a sermon, after which eight hundred dollars was collected or pledg- 
ed, and in the evening another sermon by the Doctor and more sub- 
scriptions taken, and the church was then dedicated according to 
the ritual formula, and the Rev. C. H. Howe installed as pastor. 

On the evening of May 12th the Congregational Society of Shelby 
adopted articles of association and elected the following persons 
as officers, viz: Alexander Pittenger, Parley 11. Cady, Rhodes Wil- 
letts, E. J. Shirts and E. B. Gaylord, Trustees; Jarvis Fleming, 
Clerk; Geo. W. Pij^er, Treasurer. 

Judge Giddings.— This year an attempt was made to impeach 
Judge Giddings for neglecting his official duties. The Board of Su- 
pervisors of Oceana County at once passed a resolution approving 
of the manner in which he had discharged the duties of his office in 
this county, and affirming that his removal would be a public ca- 
lamity. The Bar of Oceana County took similar action, and fur- 
ther i^rogress in the impeachment movement came to a halt. 

At the December session of the Board of Supervisors an attempt 
was made by Messrs. Charles Mears and S. Odell to secure the re- 
moval of the county seat to Mears. This was followed by an efTort 
to remove it to Shelbj'. On the motion to remove to Shelby the 
vote stood eight yea and eight nay. Failing to carry, it was then 
decided to erect county buildings at Hart, provided the people of 
Hart would give $2,500. 



CHAPTER IX. 



PIGEONS— WOMEN'S CR USADE—DEFALCA TION—PENTWA - 

TER'S TITLE CASES— SUNDRY MATTERS FROM 

1873 to 1875. 

Providential Visitation. — Pentwater, with its fine harbor, in- 
land lake and tributary streams, the north and south branches of 
Pentwater River, penetrating the kimber regions interior, early be- 
came a principal settlement, and as regai'ds its commercial trans- 
actions and its manufacturing interests, it still leads all the other 
settlements of the county. By reason of its location it becomes 
the natural business center for those occu^jying the fine farming 
lands of South Mason County, Crystal, Weare and Golden town- 
ships of Oceana County, although separated from these sections by 
from two to four miles of land of a lighter character. Its recogniz- 
ed advantages were its harbor and its interior connections by riv- 
er, thus enabling lumbermen to conduct their operations at this 
point with the greatest advantage. Hart possessed an excellent 
natural water power. In early times a water power was regarded 
as the one thing necessary and essential to the starting of a village 
in a new territorj^ If it had nothing else, a water power assured 
success. It was undoubtedly this fact that led to the selection of 
the jjresent site of Hart village. It fact, it was this power that was 
utilized for the first grist mill ot the county. A fine territory cov- 
ered with an excellent body of hardwood timber surrounded it. 
Hardwood lumbering at this time was not thought of, and its tim- 
ber was regarded as an incumbrance rather than as a source of 
wealth, and millions of feet of logs fed the flames in great heaps to 
make room for raising crops. The water power and the county seat 
made Hart the thi-iving village we find it in 1874. . 

Shelby had no lake harbor, or pine forests tributary to start it. 
It had no water power or county seat. In fact it had nothing but 
a hilly territory of excellent farming land, but not highly regarded. 
For years it had been the half-way stopping place for travelers 
from Whitehall to Pentwater, and some of its pioneers regarded 
that tact of itself as of suflicient importance to induce them to start 
a village here. Cotemporaneous with the building of the railroad 



AND BUSINESS MEN OP TO-DAY. 81 

the vill.aije of Barnett was platted. The advantage.-* of railroad 
communication with the outside world and the novelty of it, stir- 
red up the enthusiasm of its citizens and the embryo village made 
rapid progress. But the effect soon died away and a period of de- 
cline was becoming painfully manifest, when the most singular 
event in the history of the county occurred. Just as the little vil- 
lage was sinking into the Slough of despond, came a visitation that 
appeared jjrovidential in its coming and was wonderful in its re- 
sults. It was in the spring of 1874: that the first great llightof wild 
pigeons to this section occurred. They selected a locality within a 
few miles of the village for their nesting place. The news went 
abroad and nearly every train from the south brought sportsmen 
by the score, and with them came plenty of currency. Everyone 
became a pigeon hunter or dealer. They were caught and shipped 
by the barrel, in coops, and thousands were fed for a later market. 
It is estimated that this business realized to the people of Shelby 
over $50,000 in one season. The express company gave its agent, 
Mr. A. Z. Moore, ten x^er cent, of charges for handling pigeons, and 
his fees for the season were $630.29, and many were shipped by 
freight, or carried to other points for shipment. The effect of this 
season's work was that of an elixir. It put new life into all tlie en- 
terprises that had been started. In 1876 the pigeons came again 
in greatly increased numbers. The fame given to this little inland 
village as the locality of the greatest pigeon roost in the U. S. gave 
it for a time a national notoriety. This year there were shipped 
1,781 barrels and 1,982 coops of pigeons, and 2,000 dozens were re- 
tained and fed. The agent's percentage this season amounted to 
$1,553.30. It is estimated that there were over 700,000 birds 
shipped, and that over five hundred strangers found shelter in Shel- 
by and vicinity during the stay of the pigeons. The golden shower 
thus poured upon the village was expended in local improvments, 
and farms were rapidly cleared up, the population increased, and 
the village became the equal of its rivals in importance and busi- 
ness. Having placed the village squarely upon its feet, the pigeons 
sought new C[uarters and never returned again in numbers. Later 
another period of depression seemed settling upon the place, when 
the wonderful adaptability of its soil tor potato culture was dis- 
covered and farmers commenced the cultivation of this tuber in 
great quantities. This brought bu.vers from distant places, as the 
potatoes here marketed were of a superior size and quality, and 
were grown in great quantities. For several years it was noted as 
the greatest potato market in Northern Michigan. Still later its 
hills, which in early times were regarded with disfavor by the set- 
tlers, were found to be the ideal fruit sections, and at the present 
the peach and plum orchards ot Shelby and vicinity have extended 



82 



OCEANA COUNTY PIONEERS 



the fame of this burg to many States. The stories told of Oceana 
County's Iruit productions are familiar, and find a full verification 
in the yearly productions of the orchards surrounding the village 
of Shelby. 




The above is an etching from a photograph of a limb broken 
from a plum tree in Mr. E. J. Shirts' orchard at Shelby. It is not 
an exaggeration of the appearance of plum trees ladened with fruit, 
but on the contrary exhibits the average. Thousands of plum 
trees in the orchards of Oceana County would never sustain the 
fruit that yearly appears ux^on them unless suj)ported by many 
props. 

Women's Temperance Crusade.— On the evening of Dec. 22, 
1873, Dio Lewis, a Boston physician and lyceum lecturer, delivered 
m Music Hall, Boston, a lecture on "Our Girls." The following night 
he delivered a lecture at the same place on "Temperance." He told 
how in a New England manufacturing vill.age a band of women had 
driven from their midst the rum traffic by a crusade of prayer and 
song. Following this lecture a number of ladies signed the follow- 
ing compact: 

"We, the ladies whose names are hereto appended, agree and re- 
solve, that with God's help, we will stand by each other in this 
work, and persevere therein until it is accomplished, and see to it, 
as far as our influence goes, that the traffic shall never be revived." 



AND BUSINESS MEN OV TO-DAY. 83 

Then they started out and visiting drug stores and saloons pray- 
ed, sang, and entreated until one by one the dealers gave in and 
signed the pledge already prepared. The spirit ot the movement 
was caught up by other sections and in a few weeks it had spread 
over a great portion of the Northern States. In the spring of 18T4 
it reached Oceana County, and in the latter part of March an or- 
ganization was perfected at Pentwater, with the following officers: 
President, Mrs. G. D. Lee; Vice Presidents, Mrs. J. G. Gray, Mrs. G. 
W. Fisher, Mrs. A. Dresser, Jr.; Secretary, Mrs. G. W. Maxwell; 
Treasurer, Mrs. Chas. Lamont; Executive Committee, Mrs. L. F. 
Waldo, Mrs. Sewall Moulton, Mrs. A. E.Andrus, ]\Irs. Geo. Good- 
sell, and the oflicers of the Society ej officio. It started out with a 
membership of nearly one hundred. On Sundays appropriate ser- 
mons were preached, reterring esijecially to the movement. At the 
regular prayer meetings the prayers were in behalf of it, and the 
work commenced. Saloons were visited, and the proprietors en- 
treated to abandon the traffic. Prayers and song took place. In 
some instances they were refused entrance to the saloons and they 
took up their position on the sidewalk in front. 

At a mass meeting called at Gardner's Hall for the purpose, just 
prior to the township election, the following ticket was nominated: 
Sui^ervisor, Edwin Nickerson; Clerk, John H. Bouton; Treasurer, 
Mark A. Rice; Justice, Charles K. Whittington; Commissioner of 
Highways, Wm. B. 0. Sands; School Inspector, John Ripley; Drain 
Commissioner, L. M. Thorp; Constables, M. S. Perkins, P. U.Gard- 
ner, Wm. H. Bailey, Geo. B. Elms. 

At the republican caucus on Wednesday night following, the en- 
tire ticket was endorsed. A citizens' caucus was called and nomi- 
nated the following ticket: Supervisor, H. C. Flagg; Clerk, John S. 
Reynolds; Treasurer, F. Nielsen; Justice, J. Fegan; School Inspect- 
or, L. D. Grove, full term; E. A. Wright, to fill vacancy; Drain Com- 
missioner, E. Irons; Constables, W. A. Rounds, G. F. Piper, E. 
Moody, A. H. Palmer. 

C. R. Whittington declined to run and G. W.Grant was placed on 
the ticket in his stead. The election resulted in the success of the 
women's ticket, with the exception of Town Clerk. R. M. Mont- 
gomery (since Judge of Kent County) was Prosecuting Attorney. 
The old prohibitory law was on the statute books, and Mr. Mont- 
gomery informed the ladies that if complaints were made and evi- 
dence furnished him, he would prosecute. Complaints were made 
before Justice Hartwick and the cases were prosecuted with vigor 
and defended with equal vigor, the eloquent R. A. Montgomery, 
now of Lansing, Mich., being the attorney employed for that pur- 
pose. No ordinary room would hold the crowds that assembled 



84 OCEANA COUNTY PIONEERS 

to see the trials, and the Opera Hall was utilized for a Court room. 
Many convictions resulted and the saloon business became so un- 
profitable that many devices were resorted to to evade prosecution. 
Some of the saloons advertised buttermilk for sale and the propri- 
etors insisted that no intoxicating liquors were sold by them. Still, 
people would buy buttermilk and get intoxicated, and one prosecu- 
tion was had where the evidence disclosed that buttermilk alone 
was purchased, but a prominent physician upon cross-examination 
stated that the buttermilk contained intoxicating qualities, and a 
conviction resulted. 

About this time the basement of the building now occupied by P. 
Dreves, was fitted up with a device to evade the law. Entering an 
0]pen door the visitor found himself in a small room in one corner 
of which was placed a rudely constructed wheel, only one-half of 
which appeared in sight, with the following placard directly above: 



: PUT YOUE MO^'EY IN THE WHEEL : 
: AND : 

: CALL FOR WHAT YOU WANT. : 

A little to one side was a smaller card, containing this additional 
direction: 

'. PUT THE GLASSES IN THE WHEEL. : 



On the walls on either side were several cards containing the in- 
formation that "All drinks must be paid for on delivery." "Posi- 
tively no credit given to any," etc. 

This makeshift called forth the following poetic effusion from the 
Grand Rapids Times: 

Shoost put your money on der vlieel, for vhat you vants den call, 

It works sliust like der fishing reel, but bobs rount in der vail, 
Und pnngs you prandy, rye, or gbin, cigars, lager peer, or vine— 
For glittering liaunts of vice und sin in Pentvater you can't find. 

Der bartenter his name vas Chase, but who revolves der vheel 
In our model town no von can blace ; consequently anypodies vill not squeal. 

In der leedle nook you blace a dime, (der liddle vheel goes round,) 
Call vhisky— presto glass on time.— Pentvater ish der model town. 

The prosecutions were so effectual that on the 19th day of June 
the last saloon closed its doors and the man with the wheel depart- 
ed for Wisconsin. Then the women added another stanza to the 
above poetry, which read as follows: 

Der vimmins dey got after Chase, mit his revolving vheel. 
And make it hot for him in dis blace, if anypodies vouldn't squeal. 

So he shumped up trough de dirty floor out of his hole in der vail, 
Und made for Visconsin shore, petticoats, vheel und all. 

The effects of the crusade were apparent for years, although the 
saloons gradually crept into existence again as active crusade work 
ceased. 



AND BUSINESS MEN OF TO-DAY. 85 

The crusade reached Hart April 4th, and a course sunilar to that 
in Peutwater was pursued. One VanKuren was keeping a saloon 
and after being visited by the ladies he promised to quit if they 
would pay him $2.5. Some of the men backing the ladies told them 
to accept his proposition, and the ladies supposing that the men 
suggesting the idea would furnish the money, made the promise. 
VanKuren shut up for a while, but not getting his money, opened 
again, but was finally induced to quit the business. 

Oceana County Agricultural Society.— On several occasions 
attempts had been made to organize a County Fair Association. 
For one reason or another all had failed until in February, 
1870, a meeting was called at L. G. Rutherford's office in Hart, 
which was attended by several business m.en of Hart and a number 
of farmers. The meeting was called to order and Hazen Leavitt, 
of Leavitt, made Chairman, and J. Palmiter, Secretary. A per- 
manent organization was decided upon, and the following officers 
were elected: President, James E. Reed; Vice President, Alexander 
Pittenger; Secretary, J. Palmiter; Directors, Hazen Leavitt, A, 
R. Wheeler, O. K. White, Caleb Davis, Jr., W. J. Tennant, Theo- 
dore Taylor, Wm. J. Sprigg, J. J. Kittridge and S. A. Browne. It 
was decided to issue 500 shares of capital stock at .$10 a share. 

The first fair was held in Hart, Sept. 21 <fe 25, 1872, and was a 
success in every particular. In 1873 a three days' Fair was held, 
which was also a success. The Board of Supervisors voted $205 
and a tax of one-tenth of a mill on the dollar was allowed. In 
1874 the Association purchased of Wigton A Bosworth on con- 
tract, the ground since used by it for holding Fairs. It has held 
Fail's on these grounds every year since purchasing, with more or 
less success, as the weather was favorable or unfavorable. Its last 
meeting, held in 1889, wa§ very successful, and the organization 
may now be recognized as one of the permanent institutions of the 
county. 

The Peach Defalcation.— In April, 1873, Josephus S. Peach, a 
farmer residing in Hart township, possessing the confidence of the 
people, having to all appearance lived the life of an hone.st, upright 
citizen, was nominated and elected Township Treasurer. At the 
close of this term when he settled with the Township Board, a bal- 
ance of $1,252.02 was found due from him to the township, but it 
was supposed that he had the funds in his possession and the mat- 
ter was not inquired into. He was renominated in 1874 and re- 
elected. Did the business without exciting any suspicion of irregu- 
larity. In September, just before leaving home temporarily, he 
made arrangements with Mr. A.S.White to pay what orders .should 
be presented to him, and Mr. White continued to do so until about 



86 OCEAXA COUNTY PIONEERS 

$400 had accumulated. After the last roll was placed in his hands 
he refused to accept orders in payment of taxes unless the holders 
would allow him four per cent, for collection, and by this means he 
collected a larger j)roportion of the taxes in money than ever had 
been done before. Just before Christmas he settled with several 
gentlemen to whom he was indebted, and on Christmas day closed 
his account with Mr. White for the orders he had paid, and depos- 
ited a small amount. 

Christmas day being the last day he was expected to be in his of- 
fice to receive taxes, nothing was thought of his leaving immediate- 
ly thereafter to make, — as he said, — a short visit to friends in the 
southern part of the State. His wife desired to accompany him, 
but he made plausible excuses for not acceding to her request, and 
left her with the understanding that he would return in a few days 
and that shortly after she should take a trip outside. 

He left about $100 with his wife to pay any orders that might be 
presented in his absence, and told her she had better not receive 
any money in payment of taxes until he should return. She ac- 
cordingly refused, but finally relented and took in and deposited in 
the bank about $400 before the final development took place. 

His bondsmen to the county were Otis W. Knox and RoUin R. 
Wheeler, and to the township Jesse B. Garwood and Wm. J. Sprigg. 
About the first of January, 1875, Mr. Garwood received the fol- 
lowing letter: 

"Dec. 31, 1874. 
Mr. J. B. Garwood:— As you know, the whirl-a-gig of time often 
brings about changes, of which mortals never dream. Jesse, as 
you have been in our family longer and know more of our family 
affairs than any other man, I make free to tell you more. First, I 
shall never come back to Michigan for seme reasons best known to 
Mollie (his wife) and myself. I want you to dispose of my proper- 
ty, both real and personal, to the best advantage. Jesse, I don't 
want any one, neither the township of Hart, to lose one dollar on 
my account. I had of necessity to take some money that did not 
belong to me. I think there is enough property there to make all 
right. God bless you all. 

The train that carries this letter, also takes me out of the State 
of Ohio. 

This from your erring Friend, J. S. Peach." 

The receipt of this letter created the greatest excitement that had 
ever been known in Hart, and appeared like a thunder-bolt from 
the clear sky to his bondsmen. An investigation followed and it 
was found that he was a defaulter to the amount of $2,275.51 of 
the township funds, and $1,350.00 of the county funds. It also 
appeared that in a number of instances he had received money and 



AND BL'SIXESS MEN OF TO-DAY. 87 

given receipts for taxes without making any record of tlie transac- 
tion. 

Shortly after the above denouement one of his bondsmen receiv- 
ed a letter from a Mr. Baldwin, of Bellefontaine, Ohio, stating; that 
Peach was in tliat place. Acting upon this information steps were 
at once taken to secure Peach's arrest. It then became known 
that Peach's past record was of an unsavory character. It seems 
that he liad at one time resided in Ohio, near neighbor to this Mr. 
Baldwin. Eacli had a wife of his own, but Peach becoming enam- 
ored with the wife of his neighbor, Baldwin, finally left tlie country 
witli her and came to Micliigan. This was the last that was seen 
of him in Ohio until after liis defalcation in Hart. It also appears 
tliat he made arrangements to live again with the wife he had so 
basely deserted, but was prevented from carrying his phins mto ex- 
ecution by the sudden appearance of officers and bondsmen from 
Hart, and he made haste to depart. 

He was followed by a detective through Teimessee, Alabama and 
Georgia, and finally back to Tennessee, where he was arrested at 
. Sparta, and a telegram sent to his bondsmen, who started at once 
for him, followed the next day by 0. K. White, Sheriff. The detec- 
tive after arresting Peach lodged him in the jail of Sparta, and 
walked to Tullahoma (over 50 miles) to send the telegram. He re- 
turned on foot and upon his arrival was met by a bitter complaint 
concerning the unsuitable condition of the jail, and finally consent- 
ed to. remove him to a hotel where the jailer agreed to assist in 
guarding him. After removing him to the hotel the detective was 
drugged and Peach escaped into the mountains. Messrs. Sprigg 
and Knox at this time were within twenty-two miles of Sparta and 
Sheriff White about thirty miles behind following them. After a 
couple of days fruitless search Sheriff White returned home. Dur- 
ing the summer following the Sheriff received two or three commu- 
cations inquiring how much would be paid for Peach, but beyond 
this nothing has ever been heard from him since his escape. 

The Board of Supervisors oflered a reward of $300 for Peach's 
arrest. It also authorized the commencement of a suit against the 
township of Hart to recover the moneys belonging to the county, 
embezzled by Peach. Judge Brown rendered judgment in favor of 
the county and against the township for $1,800. This case was re- 
moved to the Supreme Court by L. G. Rutherford, attorney for the 
township. The Supreme Court reversed the judgment because the 
action had been improperly brought, but in the same decision inti- 
mated that the township was liable to the county and should 
spread the amount on its next tax roll. That the proper remedy 
to compel this action was by man Jamu.s-. This remedy was I'esort- 
edto by the county and the amount of $1,330 with about ^400 
costs and expense, was subsequently levied and collected. 



88 



OCEANA COUNTY PIONEERS 



Pentwater Titles Settled. — Elsewhere appears the record of 
the burning Eldred's mill and its serious influence upon the growth 
of Pentwater. This was followed by another event that in its dis- 
astrous effects was still more calamitous. 

In 1849 Andrew Rector and Edwin R. Cobb purchased from 
the U. S. Government certain lands in the township of Pentwater, 
including that now occupied by the village. Afterwards, on the 9th 
day of April, 1859, having become involved, they made a deed of 
assignment to Charles A. Rosevelt, by which deed they purported 
to convey all their property, real and personal, to said Charles A. 
Rosevelt, as appears by the following clause in said deed, viz.: * * 
"Witnesseth, that the said parties of the first part, in considera- 
tion of the premises, and the sum of one dollar to them in hand 
paid by the said party of the second part, the receipt whereof is 
hereby acknowledged, have granted, bargained, covenanted, releas- 
ed, assigned, transferred and set over by these presents, do grant, 
bai'gain, sell, covenant, release, assign, transfer and fcct over unto 
the said Charles A. Rosevelt, of the second part, and to his heirs 
and assigns forever, a/I and singular, the lands, tenements, heredit- 
aments and appurtenances situated, lying and being in the State of 
Michigan, and more particularly described in a schedule hereto at- 
tached and marked 'A,' " — . This deed appears to have been execu- 
ted on the same day and pre- 
sented to Alexander S. An- 
derson, Register of Deeds, for 
record. On pages 374, 375 
and 376 of Liber 'A' of Deeds, 
the deed is recorded at length 
and on page 429, following a 
statement by the Register 
that the following are sched- 
ules 'A,' 'B,' and 'C,' referred 
to in the deed recorded on 
pages 374, 375 and 376, ap- 
pears the record of these 
schedules, the date of record 
3^.. ])eingSep. 29, 1859. 

By examination of sched- 
ule 'A,' referred to in deed, 
for a n?ore specific descrip- 
tion of the lands assigned, it 
appears that forty acres, in- 
cluding that on which the 
principal portion of the vil- 




/-e- 



ALEXxlNDER S. ANDERSON. 



AND BUSINESS MEN OF TO-DAY. 89 

lageof Pentwater was located, was not included. As nearly all the 
people owning lots in this territory traced their titles through 
Charles A. Rosevelt as Cobb & Rector's assignee, the validity of the 
assignment deed was essential to the protection of their titles. 

Sometime subsequent to the making the deed of assignment, but 
IDrior to this period (1873), Edwin R. Cobb, claiming that Rosevelt 
had abused his trust and defrauded Cobb & Rector, in order to se- 
cure what he considered his rights, brought suit in theCircuit Court 
and attacked the validity of the assignment deed, but we cannot 
find that he denied the execution. He failed to establish his claim, 
and many of the people whose titles came through Rosevelt, learn- 
ing of the result supposed that settled the matter and established 
their titles beyond Cjuestion. 

In 1873 Daniel E. Corbett, Isaac E. Messmore, Eugene Vaughn, 
Benjamin Luce and Seth Holcomb, all residents of Grand Rapids, 
having learned of the omission appearing in the schedule 'A,' of the 
description of forty acres, quietly went to work and purchased of 
Cobb & Rector's heirs, quit claims. Rumors of the combination of 
these Grand Rapids speculators and its purchases being whispered 
about caused some uneasiness, but it was said, "that's the same 
old matter of Cobb's, and has been settled once. It can amount to 
nothing." Still the uncertainty caused outsiders to hesitate before 
investing in Pentwater real estate, and following upon the heels of 
the burning of Eldred's mill, caused the general depression to be 
more severely felt. To add to this feeling of depression and inten- 
sify matters, early in 1874 Mr. D. E. Corbett appeared in Pentwa- 
ter, and on behalf of the Grand Rapids syndicate above referred to, 
asserted full ownership over the property within this territory, esti- 
mating its value at several hundred thousand dollars. He offered to 
deed to residents who desired it for what he stated was a reasona- 
ble price, but which was regarded as nearly the full value of the 
property. He claimed that inasmuch as the forty acres was not 
inserted in the schedule 'A,' that Cobb & Rector retained title to 
this, and as he and those he represented had purchased the Cobb & 
Rector title, they were absolute owners. On the other hand, hav- 
ing through attorneys looked up the matter, the citizens claimed 
that the general words of assignment in the deed, viz: "All and sin- 
gular the lands, tenements, hereditaments and appuruenances situ- 
ated, lying and being in the State of Michigan," conveyed all the 
land that Cobb & Rector owned in Michigan, without reference to 

the schedule. . 

Mr. Corbett admitted that the clause would have been suHicient 
had it not been for the fact that the general ^ords of assignment 
were immediately followed by a reference to schedule 'A' for a more 
particular description. This he claimed deprived the general clause 



90 OCEANA COUNTY PIONEERS 

of the effect claimed for it by the citizens. The decisions of the 
Courts being in support of this theory, it did look as though Mr. 
Corbett was master of the situation, and a few compromised with 
him by buying quit claims, but the great majority x'efused to deal 
with him. 

A suit in ejectment was commenced by James S. Post against 
Emanuel Rich, and Mr. Post having a similar title to the Grand 
Eapids parties, and backed by them the case was pushed to an 
early decision, in order to frighten the people into acced- 
ing to their demands. Before trial had been reached in the Rich 
case, to accelerate matters three more ejectment cases were 
brought against James G. B. Atwood, A. Brillhart, John At- 
wood and Louis M. Hartwick. Through the same influence the 
Grand Rapids dailies published long articles purporting to describe 
the situation, and which did have the effect of making Pentwater's 
titles notorious. Improvements stopped, business lagged, people 
lost interest in the place, and it soon became apparent that the ti- 
tles must be settled at once or the village was doomed. About this 
time, L. M. Hartwick, a co-defendant in one of the ejectment suits 
above noticed, and with his partner, Mr. L. D. Grove, an attorney 
for the defendants in the other cases, began a careful investigation 
of the records, spending several days in the Register's office for that 
purpose, and when he returned he announced to his partner, Mr. 
Grove, his belief that if the original deed could be found the missing 
description would appear in it, as he claimed to have found other 
errors in Mr. Anderson's work that warranted the suspicion that 
Mr. Anderson had failed to record all the deed contained. Mr. 
Grove adopted the idea at once and set about trying to find the 
deed. Being a pioneer attorney of the county he was acquainted 
with all the persons who had anything to do with Cobb & Rector's 
matters, and in the course of a few weeks he succeeded in getting a 
letter from Wm. Parks, of Grand Haven, who stated that for one 
hundred dollars he would undertake to find the deed. Of course it 
was not known whether the deed would possess any value to the 
defendants or not, and finally he informed Mr. Parks that if he 
would allow him to look at the deed, if it contained what he want- 
ed and expected Grove & Hartwick would pay the hundred dollars. 
He replied that the deed could not be inspected until paid for. Af- 
ter some consultation it was decided to purchase it, and it was 
sent by Mr. Parks to his son Albert, who at that time was Station 
Agent at Pentwater, and to whom the money was paid, and from 
whom the package containing deed, schedules, etc., was received. 

It was a moment of great expectation when the package was 
opened in the office of Grove & Hartwick. To prevent the possibil- 
ity of intrusion the doors were locked. Grove opened the package. 



AND BUSINESS MEN OF TO-DAY. 91 

took out the schedule, and after inspecting it a moment commenced 
to dance a hornpipe. "What is it, Grove?" inquired Hartwick. 
*-Our fortune is made," he replied. "It's all right, the description 
is here. 'Twas Anderson's blunder that caused its omission on the 
Record. Why, see here, he just skipped one line and that line de- 
scribes the land." True enough, such appeared to be thefact. Now 
it seemed to be an easy matter to clear Pentwater's titles. With 
"occupancy and the deed" the Record was not feared. But now 
came thequestion of how to make "the fortune" Grove had jtroijh- 
esied. Finally it was decided to say nothing about the deed, but 
offer to clear the titles tor the village in the disputed territory for 
$1,000. The offer was made, but the people in mass meeting, while 
satisfied with the price, wanted assurance that it could be accom- 
plished. This assurance could not be given without disclosing the 
deed, consequently no arrangement was made and Rice, Ambler & 
Montgomery were employed to defend the people's titles on behalf 
of the village. Mr. Grove, provoked at what he styled the foolish- 
ness of the people, went to Grand Rapids, and after a consultation 
withMr.Corbett returned to Pentwaterwithaproposition from him 
to retain Grove & Hartwick, paying a large retainer and requiring 
no work, but simply to keep the deed out of sight. Grove <.t Ilart- 
wick's clients were to be protected by quit claims from Corbett et 
al. Mr. Hartwick refused to accept the retainer, and shortly there- 
after the firm of Grove & Hartwick dissolved. Mr. Hartwick re- 
tained possession of the deed and appeared in the cases of Hart- 
wick, Atwood and Brillhart, and Grove acted thereafter with the 
Grand Rapids parties. In the meantime the Rich case had been 
tried and decided in favor of plaintiff, the deed not having been in- 
troduced in evidence. A new trial under the statute was granted, 
and in the course of time the other cases of Atwood, Brillhart and 
Hartwick took the same course, the only fight being upon the ques- 
tion of improvements, and after obtaining the construction of the 
Court of the statute governing improvements and judgment render- 
ed for i3laintiffs, new trials were allowed, and the cases stood as be- 
fore. 

The Rich case was pressed for trial by Mr. Corbett, who now 
showed his full hand by appearing as attorney and conducting the 
trial. The trial was finally entered upon and R. M. Montgomery, 
of the firm of Rice, Ambler & Montgomery, assisted by C. I. Walk- 
er, of Detroit, defended it. The i^laintiffs through Mr. Grove 
had become informed of the possession by defendants of the deed 
and Avhat it it contained, and had already formulated a theory to 
defeat its effect, viz.: That the schedule which contained the de- 
scription of land omitted in the Records, not having been actually 
attached to the deed and delivered with it, was not entitled to be 



92 OCEANA COUNTY PIONEERS 

admitted in evidence as proof of conveyance, and the fact that the 
deed and schedules were on separate papers and recorded in differ- 
ent places in the Record, was relied upon in support of this theory. 
On the trial of this case the defendants' attorneys sought to intro- 
duce the Records in order to show notice, but were refused by the 
Court. They were afterwards permitted to introduce them as sec- 
ondary evidence. The plaintiff, thinking that the Court in admit- 
ting the Record erred, made but little opposition to the further 
progress of the case, and judgment was rendered for defendant. 
Plaintiff immediately removed the case to the Supreme Court, 
which sustained the judgment of the Court below, but as the only 
question raised before the Supreme Court was upon the admissibil- 
ity of the Records, the validity of the assignment deed was not 
passed upon, and it did not settle the question of title. 

During the trial of this case in the Circuit Court an incident oc- 
curred that was of sufficient moment to require notice in this con- 
nection. The original deed of assignment was introduced in evi- 
dence and passed ujj to Judge Giddings, and lay upon his desk as 
the Court adjourned for dinner. When the Court convened after 
dinner the deed could not be found and there was considerable com- 
motion caused, as the result of the suit depended upon it. The 
members of the Bar looked at each other, and finally glanced at 
L. D. Grove, whom, by reason of his interest in the case and state- 
ments before made claiming proprietorship in the deed, the mem- 
bers suspected of having taken it. Grove's face remained "childlike 
and bland" under the searching scrutiny of a dozen pairs of eyes. 
Finally the stillness of death seemed to i^ervade the Court room. 
Judge Giddings arose and with a dignified bearing no other man 
could assume, raised his hand and bringing it down upon the desk 
with force, said: "I find as a matter of fact that the deed was plac- 
ed there (indicating the desk) by the hand of the Court, and that 
it was removed from there by the hand of Lyman D. Grove. I find 
as a conclusion of law that the hand of Lyman D. Grove must put 
it back there forthwith." It is needless to say the deed was re- 
turned. 

This incident reaching the ears of some Pentwater people, and re- 
alizing the slender thread upon which their titles depended, a 
meeting was called, and a delegation headed by Stillman Parker 
was sent to Hart with instructions to importune the Court to take 
and keep the custody of the important deed. The delegation ap- 
peared in Court, other business was suspended temporarily and 
the request was made of the Court by Mr. Parker. The Judge hav- 
ing ascertained that the Grove & Hart wick interest in the deed had 
been purchased, at their request made an order, first that the deed 



AND BUSINESS MEN OF TO-DAY. 93 

be re-recorded, and that the Register take custody of it and allow- 
no person to have it except upon the written order of the Court, 
and it is supposed to be in the custody of the Register at this time. 
In the trial of the Rich case the Records were excluded and defend- 
ants defended relying solely upon the deed and the occupancy of 
the premises. The plaintiffs would not accept the result as conclu- 
sive and commenced an action against School Dist. No. 1 in the U. 
S. Courts. This case was defended by Rice, Ambler & Montgomery 
and C. I. Walker. On the trial J. H. Standish testified that he 
drew up the deed and attached the schedule to the deed before it 
was executed and delivered, he borrowing a pin from a female pres- 
ent for the purpose of attaching the papers. The papers had pin- 
holes in them indicating that they had been attached as testified. 
Alexander S. Anderson, the Register, also testified that when the 
deed was left with him for record he was under the impression that 
the papers were attached. That the reason he did not record the 
schedule with the deed was because he thought it unnecessary, but 
afterwards changing his mind recorded it as appears on the records. 
The following is the decision as rendered by Judge Withey: 

The Court, luiving examined the special fiiuling of the jury in the above-entitled 
case, and having considered the matter tlierein submitted for its judgment and opin- 
ion, renders the following judgment therein— that is to say: 

First— That Cliarles A. Eosevelt ac(iuired the title in fee, by the deed of assignment 
from Kector and Cobb, of and to the premises in question, and tlie defendant ae(iiiir- 
ed from Kosevelt the title which he received from Kector and Cobb. 

Second— Tliat as defendant was in possession, under a claim of title, from I8*;n up 
to and including the time of purchase by plaintiff and commencement of suit, plaintill 
purchased with notice of defendant's claim and title, and it does not matter whether 
Uie record title was in defendant or not, so long as the conveyance from IJector and 
Cobb to Eosevelt and the conveyance from Eosevelt to defendant were operative as 
deeds of conveyance of the premises. Defendant's possession, under claim of title, is 
notice to every one, and as effectual for defendant's protection as record notice. 

Third-As to the schedule of property, the jury having found that there was 
such a schedule, and annexed to and delivered with the deed, the Court sees no 
occasion to discuss the question of schedule in any of its relations to the case. If 
there was a schedule and it contained a description of the premises in question (and 
it did under the testimony and finding of the jury), then by the act of execution and 
delivery of those papers title passed to the assignee. Title once shown to have pass- 
ed could not get back to Eector and Cobb without conveyance. Tlie fact tiiat the 
schedule was by the Eegister of Deeds, or some one, detached from the deed, or that 
it was not recorded with the deed as it should have been, or the fact tliat the schedule 
was altered by additions to or subtractions from it, after both deed and schedule liad 
been delivered into the Eegister's office, cannot affect the question whether title 
passed to Eosevelt by delivery of deed and schedule in the first instance duly and 
properly executed by Eector and Cobb. 

Finally, the Court is of the opinion that upon the whole case as found by the jury. 
the defendant is not guilty, etc. Let judgment be entered in form accordingly, with 
costs, against the plaintiff, and in favor of defendant. S. ^jj^J/J" j^lige. 

This settled all the titles of the occupied lands in Pentwater but 
did not settle that of the vacant lots. W. E. Ambler was employ- 
ed by the township to perfect the titles for the unoccupied lauds, 



94 



OCEANA COUNTY PIONEERS 



and he at once filed a number of bills in Chancery to quiet title of 
occupied premises, knowing that under the decisions already ren- 
dered he had clear cases. These suits were accumulating costs to 
the Grand Rapids peojjle very rapidly, and Mr.Corbett, after fight- 
ing the costs awhile, called for terms of capitulation. Terms made 
by Mr. Ambler were by quit-claims for all vacant lots in Pentwater 
on which they claimed title, and then he would receipt for costs. 
This was carried out and Pentwater's titles became perfected and 
forever settled. 




We find this year (187.5) the firm of Sands & Maxwell, which 
has heretofore received brief notice, occuj^ying the above building 
and doing a business that gives promise of the great institution it 
afterwards became. The House was established in 1862 under the 
name of Hart & Maxwell, and Geo. W. Maxwell was foreman. In 
1866 the firm dissolved and George continued the mercantile busi- 
ness. In April, W. B. 0. Sands became his partner. In 1871 N. F. 
Harris became a partner, and in 1872 he retired. In 1875 Geo. 
W. Maxwell died and E. G. Maxwell became a partner. The mer- 
chandise sales of this House in 1875 were $128,653.73; its lumber- 
ing business $144,782.25. The further history of this House will 
appear under the history of the Pentwater Bedstead Factory. 



CHAPTER X. 



Citizens' Exchange Bank— Fruit Organizations— Death ofL. D. Ea- 
ton—Trotting Stock— Death of Judge Giddings— Jennie Mills' 
Disappearance— Death of Judge Littlejohn— Suicide of I. 
H. Cogswell— Wreck of the Lamont—Alonzo Irons 
Mystery, Etc. 

Citizens' Exchaxge Baxk.— The growing demand for a bankiwg 
house at the county seat, was in the year 1874 duly considered by 
A. S. White, J. K. Flood and F. J. Russell, gentlemen each of whom 
possessed abundant means and an honorable standing with the 
people. A bank organized with this combination would make a 
strong and safe institution. The only question to be considered 
was "would it pay?" It was finally decided, however, to risk it, 
and on the 30th day of November, 1874, the Citizens' Exchange 
Bank was organized with the above named persons equal partners, 
and A. S. White manager. The house was a success from the start 
and the business went far beyond the expectations of its owners. 
The deposits have reached a figure upwards of $50,000. Being a 
private banking house, the individuals are liable to the extent of 
their individual property, and as each member of the firm is pos- 
sessed of considerable means, its reliability is unquestioned. Its 
correspondents are The Chemical National Bank of New York, one 
of the wealthiest banks in the U. S.; The Third National Bank of 
Detroit, and The Fourth National Bank of Grand Rapids. Cieorge 
Alverson, an afifable and courteous gentleman, has been as!«istant 
cashier in this house for eight j'ears. 

Fruit Associations. — We have noticed the growing importance of 
thefruititem of Oceana's productions. Knowledgeof its culturefor 
profit, however, was vague. The reputation of this section as es- 
pecially adapted to its culture was confined to the county. For 
the double purpose of acquiring information in i-egard to fruit cul- 
ture and extending the reputation of the locality by making proper 
fruit exhibits, a Pomological Society was organized with the follow- 
ing named i^ersons actively identified with it, viz.: D. L. Garver, C. 
A. Sessions, A. H. Judd, Wm. Swingle, E. J. Shirts, F. J.Russell, L. 
Chubb, T. Taylor and J. M. Teeple. Profitable meetings were held 
during this season, then the intei-est waned and the Society ceased 
to exist. March 2, 1878, another organization was perfected at 



96 



OCEANA COUNTY PIONEERS 



# 



Pent water, called the West Michigan Horticultural Society, with 
many of those in the other Society and several new members. This 
continued to grow and meetings were held at Pent water, Hart and 
Shelby that wei'e largely attended. Interest increased, exhibits 
were made under its auspices at the State and other Fairs, and the 
reputation of the county for its adaptability for fruit culture at- 
tracted general attention. The State Horticultural Society held 
its spring meeting the following year at Pentwater, which was very 
successful, and new life was instilled into the rank and file of horti- 
culturists throughout the county. This organization after accom- 
plishing much, like its j)i'edecessor finally ceased to exist. The 
fruit interest continued to grow and extend, and the necessity of 
an organization was apparent. Some of the old members, assisted 
by younger material, put their shoulders to the work again and re- 
vived the old Horticultural Society and placed it upon a good sub- 
stantial basis. Through its influence statistics have been secured, 
exhibits made at Detroit, Lansing and other places, and the repu- 
tation of the locality spread abroad until the attention of people 
in many States has been attracted toward Oceana County. It is 
still in existence and preparing for great work the coming season. 



Death of Lorenzo D. Eaton. — On page 27 we refer to Lorenzo 
D. Eaton as one of the first settlers of this county. He was born 

in New York State, March, 
1827, where he passed his 
early daj'^s and arrived at 
man's estate. Nov. 24, 
1842, he was married in 
New York State to Rebecca 
Bragg. He removed to Wis- 
consin and was living at 
Waukesha when a man by 
the name of Kelly, of Mil- 
waukee, who claimed to 
have land in Oceana Coun- 
ty, Michigan, engaged Mr. 
Eaton as foreman to take 
a gang of men and go upon 
it and get out shingle bolts 
for him. Kelly promised 
to provide for his family 
during his absence. Under 
LORENZO D. EATON. this arrangement, in 1849 

Mr. Eaton appeared in what was then the almost unbroken wilder- 
ness of Oceana. He had been here at work about three or four 




AND BUSINESS MEN OP TO-nAY. 97 

months when an Indian brought a message to him from a friend 
living at White River, informing him that the land he was at work 
on did not belong to Kelly, and that the U. S. Marshal was after 
him. He immediately started on foot back to his home in Wiscon- 
sin, where after a journey of three hundred n^iles, enduring great 
hardships, he arrived only to find that Kelly had wholly neglected 
his family, and that they were in a condition of destitution and 
suffering, and had it not been for his timely return would liave 
starved. 

In 1850 he was again engaged by Kimball and Burchard to come 
to Oceana County and superintend their work in getting out shin- 
gle bolts. This time he brought his family with him. They came 
on a vessel and anchored at night off Stony Creek. He left the ves- 
sel and went ashore to get a scow to take off his family and sup- 
plies, but he had scarcely reached shore when a storm arose, and it 
becoming apijarent that the vessel could not maintain her moor- 
ings, Mrs. Eaton and family and a very tew provisions were placed 
in a small boat and sent ashore. This was on the 3rd day of No- 
vember, 1850. The storm continued in great fury for three days 
and nights; rain and snow falling upon these pioneers who were 
without shelter except that which was rudely constructed at the 
time. He remained a resident of the county during.his life. He, in 
after years, became a land locater and as such engaged his services 
to different persons. In the spring of 1876 he formed a copartner- 
ship with a young man by the nameof Sammons, (son of J. H. Siim- 
mons,) who w'as locating lands in the Upper Peninsuhi. In July of 
this year they had made a trip to the forests and returned to On- 
tonagon, where Mr. Eaton secured passage on the ill-fated steamer 
St. Clair. The vessel took fire and burned to the water's edge. Mr. 
Eaton, with others, in attempting to make shore was drowne<l, and 
his body never recovered. He left his wife and seven children to 
mourn his loss. He was devoted to his family, a good father, kind 
husband and member of the M. E. Church. He was a member of 
the Odd Fellows' organization, and politically a democrat. 

Oceana's Trotting STOfK.— In every locality, cotemporaneous 
with its growth comes the horseman. The horse is man's best 
friend in improving a new section, and in contributing to his pleas- 
ure and convenience afterwards. Oceana county early developed 
a class of horsemen who did all in their power to increase the speed 
qualities of their animals. There were S. A. Browne, Wm. Webb, 
Jas. Malcom, Ed. Worden, and others, each of whom owned horses 
said to be fast, and many a race was trotted upon the ice to test 
the speed of contestants for favor. 

In the winter of 1871 and 1872, Doctor I). G. Weare, a druggist 



98 OCEANA COUNTY PIONEERS 

of Pent water and the person in whose honor a township was nam 
ed, brought in a three-year-old chestnut colt, which he asserted was 
a direct descendant from Sherman Morgan, and which he named 
Oceana Chief. He used to appear upon the streets driving this colt 
every day. The awkward, shainbling gait of the animal only served 
to excite the ridicule of local sportsmen, and the Doctor and his horse 
were made the butt of many a jest. He finally hired one Wm. Sny- 
der to train it, paying Snyder sixty dollars per month. This also 
caused many unfavorable remarks, as the payment of $60 per 
month to care for a horse was considered simply ridiculous.. The 
Doctor's efforts, however, to bring this animal into prominence as 
a trotter were unsuccessful, and he finally sold it to Chas. Nichols, 
a lumberman, for $700, receiving a part of the consideration and 
the balance to be paid when the pedigree was furnished. He fur- 
nished a part of the horsw's pedigree, but as it had some bad omis- 
sions Mr. Nichols refused to pay the balance. A suit resulted which 
was before the Courts for several terms and finally decided against 
him. Nichols placed the horse in the hands of John Boga, his son- 
in-law, to train and drive. 

In 1875 S. A. Browne brought to his^Pentwater stables a beauti- 
ful black mare named Lady Turi)in, which at the Rochester, N. Y., 
races this year.had won first money, making a record of 2:23. The 
bringing of this horse to Pentwater stimulated the interest before 
manifested to fever heat, and The Driving Park Association pre- 
pared its grounds for great races, to follow. The course had been 
opened the year previous and inaugurated by the celebrated 
Small Hopes and other horses making a track record of 3:08. Un- 
der Boga's management the "Chief" began to develop wonderfully 
and in 1875 had won a race in three straight heats over the best 
local horses, and already sportsmen were beginning to look upon 
him as the coming horse. 

Aug. 15, 1876, a race upon the Driving Park Association's 
grounds, Pentwater, for a purse of $250, with $125 as first premi- 
um, was advertised, free for all. The following is thedescrij)tion of 
the race: 

"For this race seven horses were (started: 

1st, 1- g Ked Oak. 2iul, c s Oceaiica Chief. 

3ra, IVy s W Morrell. 4th, b'yg Gen. McArtlmr. 

5th, b m Flossy. Cth, bl'k g John Barney. 

7th, b"y g Eoadmaster. 

There was considerable difficulty in getting a fair start, each driv- 
er seeming determined if possible, to have the advantage if he could 
get it. After scoring several times, they were given the word 'go,' 
and it was known that the fastest horse would win this race, if 
jockyiugiad shown itself in some of the others and great interest 



AND BUSINESS MEN OF TO-DAY. 99 

was manifestbd; every stump and mound convenient was used by 
the spectators in order to get a better view. The remark was re- 
peatedly made that 'the Chief was a bad breaker,' and 'if he would 
only keep his feet,' showed the interest taken in the result— and 
when they had reached the quarter post and the Chief did break, a 
look of dismay among his friends was visible; but he soon 'got down 
to business,' and came in the winner of the heat in 2:40, amid loud 
huzzas. 

The call was made for the second heat, and after a half dozen fu- 
tile attempts the horses were finally sent ott" in tine style. Oceana 
Chief soon went to the front, and maintamed his position without 
a skip, notwithstanding the daring attempt of Barney to throw him 
off his feet. The Chief came in the winner of this, the second heat, 
in 2:37^2, the fastest time thus far made. 

The Chief had now won two of the three heats, and won them by 
fair and honest work, and his many friends were anxious lest the 
drivers of the other horses in the race should so manipulate affairs 
that he would be taken at a disadvantage. He had already taken 
two heats, 'would he take the third and end the race?' The horses 
were called and as in both the other heats, considerable time was 
spent in scoring, and when the word 'go' was given, they went off in 
fine style, and as the Chief again got the lead and opened quite a 
gap, the excitement was intense. The efforts of the police to 'keep 
quiet,' and preserve order was respected to a certain extent — but 
when the Chief came down the home-stretch and under the string 
leading the whole posse by a full length, there went up such a shout 
from the crowd, as only those can give who have restrained their 
feehngs from a sense of duty, and all were jubilant over the result. 

Tinu'-2 :40— 2 :3T! j— 2 :42." 

From this time on Oceana Chief grew in favor. He was alternate- 
ly placed in races and kept in the stud. On the Saginaw track he 
made a record of 2:23, equalling Lady Turpin's Rochester record, 
and which at the time was one of the best records made by a horse 
in his class. 

Some of Mr. Browne's friends becoming jealous of the growing fa- 
vor of Oceana Chief, made arrangements for big races on Pentwa- 
ter Driving Park grounds in June, 1878, at which time noted horse.s 
from outside were induced to come and enter the free for all. and 
combine to deSeat the Chief. The race came off, and the following 

were the entries: 

1 Little Dan, s g-F. D. Clark Grand Rapids. 

4 ( K-t'Aun Chief, c s-Jolin Boga » ,'• nV 

5 Siiabler, c g— M. A. Jones «nHm' 1 iko" 

6 .Jessie, c m-Bates & Harper '''ma- .'J,,,." 

r I.adv Tniesdell. b ni-Tlios. Merrill i , n, lmo ' 

8 Frank, bav g-John Connelly Ludnifeiou. 



L.orc. 



100 OCEANA COUNTY PIONEERS 

The first heat the Chief won fairly. The next heat the combina- 
tion forced the Chief back and permitted Russ Ellis to take it. The 
excitement now became oreat as the undisguised acts of the jocky 
to beat the Chief became manifest. The Chief's position was the 
outside. He started at a gait that was soon crowding the pole 
horses, and as he worked for the pole the jockeys played in front of 
hijn. Boga then turned out, taking the outside, trotted without a 
break right round the field and came under the wire a good winner, 
and acknowledged by the shouts of the spectators. The other heat 
was easily won by him, and Oceana's superioritj^ as a trotter was 
established and never afterwai'ds questioned by local sportsmen. 

Nichols became involved and the ownership of the horse changed 
several times from one member of his family to another, and was 
also heavily mortgaged. In 1880, about sixteen miles fi'om Grand 
Kaxiids, he was taken sick and died. It was thought by man j^ that 
he did not die but was sijirited away to get rid of the incumbra^nces 
upon him. It is certain, however he never appeared again in this 
section. He left a numerous progeny, some of which like- 
wise became quite noted. Maggie Knox, owned by 0. W. Knox, of 
Hart, was sired by the Chief, and made a record of 2:24:J:(. As there 
are many horses in this vicinity that trace their record through the 
Chief, we herewith give his pedigree so far as known: 

( By Sherman Morgan 
r By Hill's Black Hawk - 
Sire of ( 

I Ethan Allen, 2:2514 
( By Nero '| Bell of Saratoga, 2 :29 
fBy Aldrich Colt- | Lancet, l-.ib^. 

Oceana j ( Young America, 2:23 

Chief, 2:23) 

[Thoroughbred. 

Dam of Clifton Boy, 2 :2:i 

To S. A. Browne, however, is due great credit for giving to this lo- 
cality an enviable reputation for its trotting stock. He became 
proprietor of a fine farm in Golden, which he named the Golden 
Stock Farm, and here brought and kept many horses of a fine 
strain of blood and wide reputation. Here also he bred many fine 
animals that have since become distinguished. Among those bro't 
here by Mr. Browne, was Indicator, 2:23}^; Gold Dust, 2:29; Grand 
Hambletonian (stallion), 2:28i^; Spinella, 2:30; Shadow, 2:27; Ab- 
dallnh Belle; Richmond Belle; Peru Belle, 2:27; Lady Humphrey, 
2:34; Scotia, 2:30; Amethyst; Sea Bird; Lady Arnold; Susie Wilkes; 
Soprano; Spiletta; Indiana, 2:39, and the young stallion Grand 
Sentinel, which was one of the finest horses ever brought to Michi- 
gan, and afterwards acquired almost national reputation. He has 
one son, Grand Sentinel, Jr., owned by Asa M. Pringle, of Golden, 
which has a numerous progeny, for the benefit of which we herewith 
give the following history: 



AND BUSINKSS MEX OF TO-DAY. 101 

"Grand Sentinel, 2:27i.^, son of Sentinel, 2:29;^, brother to Volun- 
teer, was bred by John R. Richardson, Lexington, Ky.; got by Sen- 
tinel, out of Maid of Lexington, by Mambrino Pilot, 2:34t,', son of 
Mambrino Chief. Grand Sentinel, was, without being a very h;ind- 
some horse, one of good parts, and very speedy and resolute. Hut, 
like his sire, he died just at the outset of a successful stud career. 
On the 8th of January, 1887, while playing in his paddock, he slip- 
ped on an icy spot and falling sustained injuries to his kidneys 
which led to acute inflammation and culminated in his death. His 
sire, Sentinel, died at the early age of ten years, and Grand Senti- 
nel at thirteen years. But their line is achieving greatness, and 
promises to live on radiantly." 

Judge Giddings Dies.— Augustine H. Giddings, whose portrait 
appears on page 67, closed his earthly career in the saddest possi- 
ble manner in a Philadelphia hospital, in the latter jjart of the 
year 1876. He ascended the bench of the Judicial Circuit to which 
Oceana County was i^art, in 1869, upon the death of Judge Hop- 
kins. By liis urbane manners, dignified bearing and courteous 
ways he secured the respect and esteem of all with whom he came 
in contact. He was, however, addicted to the use of intoxicating 
drinks, and to tliis terriblehabit that held him in its vicelike chains 
and from which he made many a heroic struggle to free himself, was 
due his failure to obtain the highest reward to the ambitious disci- 
ple of the law, namely, a position on the Supreme Bench, and his 
deatli among strangers while yet in the prime of life. His a j)petite 
seemed to take possession of him at long intervals, between which 
he never tasted liquor, but when the desire came upon him nothing 
could prevent his gratifying it. He realized the disgrace which his 
course brought upon him, and several times during a half lucid in- 
terval, attempted suicide. Notwithstanding the fact that Court 
business was seriously interfered with by his acts, wherever he ai> 
peared he was accorded unusual marks of esteem by attorneys and 
litigants. He died without having been married, but many people 
sincei'ely mourned his departure. 

County Treasurer Dies.— Aug. 23, 1877, Henry G. Hoffman, 
one of the pioneer settlers and County Treasurer, died, and the of- 
fice was thereby made vacant. INIr. Hoffman's son and Deputy at 
once took charge of the office and was performing the duties satis- 
factorily when he too, was taken ill and died. The Board of Su- 
pervisors at its session in October elected John R. Butler, who 
served the balance of Mr. Hoffman's term. 

Jennie Mills' Disappearance.— Jennie Mills, of Pent water, was 
a young lady of attractive personal appearance, and had many 



102 OCEANA COUNTY PIONEERS 

friends among the young people. She was employed as help in the 
family of J. G. Gray at the time of which we write, i. e., Christmas, 
1877. Many preparations for Christmas festivities had been made 
among which was a social party which she expected to attend. Al- 
ways of a sunny disposition, it was remembered that on Christmas 
eve. she appeared even more gay than usual as she exhibited, to 
friends the gifts she had received. She received a visit from a gen- 
tleman friend in the evening and parted with him about nine o'clock, 
nothing having occurred to give any clue to her subsequent disap- 
pearance. The next morning her clothes and jewelry were found on 
her stand, and the following note, but she had disappeared: 

"Pentwater, Mich. 
Dear Charley 

You may think I am A foolish girl to think of you 
as I do but I will not try to explain matters here or any place else 
But Remember the past and don't forget Jen unless you find one 
who is a Better Friend to you than she was for Jen has loved you 
Beyond Reason But she will soon be at Rest and you can take a 
Boat Ride over her to morrow with Pleasure I suppose But when 
you come to morrow night Jen will not open the door for you and. 
Charley is the only one who knows the Reason I will bid you a long 
farewell. Wishing you comfort and Hapj)iness for ever 
Your true friend, 

Jennie Mills." 

It was supposed she had thrown herself into the lake, but no 
trace of her ever came to the surface. Then it was thought she had 
wandered away in a fit of temporary insanity, and searching par- 
ties scoured the country in vain. Rumors of her having been seen 
in Canada and elsewhere were heard again and again. Many be- 
lieved that she was still alive. The evidence of her drowning was 
very slight and few believed that she died in that manner. Sept. 
5, 1885, a man by the name of Niel St. Clair, of Howard City, while 
cutting hoop poles near Wood Lake, found the skeleton of what 
appeared to be a young woman. The left side of the skull had been 
crushed in, indicating a violent death. The skeleton had evidently 
lain there several years. There had been no disappearances in the 
vicinity to account for its presence. There was nothing found with 
it to mark its identity. There were many Pentwater people who 
thought the letter published above was merely a blind and that 
she did not commit suicide as indicated, but was taken away and 
disposed of in some manner, but no evidence to prove the suspicion 
ever came to light, unless there was a connection between the find- 
ing of the skeleton and Miss Mills' disappearance. Near thirteen 
years have passed and the mystery of her death is as great as it 
was the next week after her disappearance. 



AND BUSINESS MEN OF TO-DAY. 103 

Hart Argus.— November 8, 1887, L, A. Mclntyre, a doctor at 
Hesperia, and a Mr. Frink, a resident of the same place, started 
the Argus at that i^lace. Dr. Mclntyre conducting it. At this time 
there seemed to be an opening for another paper at Hart owing to 
dissatisfaction expressed at the course of the Journal, and in April, 
1878, the office was removed to Hart, Mr. Frink retiring, and the 
paper became the Hart Argus. It received a fair patronage and 
continued as a republican paper under Mr.McIntyre's management 
until Sept., 188-1, when it was purchased by Mr. E. S. Palmiter, 
its present owner and proprietor. It immediately, under his man- 
agement, became the organ of the prohibition party and has advo- 
cated the principles of that party to the present time. 

Dog Tax.— The Legislature had passed an Act requiring the as- 
sessment of a dog tax and providing for its collection. The Super- 
visors of the different towns were met by a perfect howl of indigna- 
tion by dog owners, who declared they would not submit to it, etc. 
When tlie Board convened in October each Supervisor had the 
same experience to relate, and as a result the following remarkable 
resolution was adopted by a vote of nine to seven: 

"Whereas, The present law authorizing a tax on dogs is believed 
to be unconstitutional by all — and. 

Whereas, The said tax is oppressive and burdensome on that 
class of our people least able to bear the same — and, 

Whereas, There are but very few sheep in the county to be wor- 
ried or killed by dogs, and. 

Whereas, The protection of sheep seems to be the prime object 
of said law, now, therefore, be it 

Resolved, By the Board of Supervisors of the County of Oceana 
that the Supervisors of the several townships of this county be in- 
structed not to assess the Dogs in their several townshii)s." 

Hawley's Mill Explodes.— Apt-il 16, 1879, without previous 
warning the boilers in Hawley's sawmill, Shelby, burst into hun- 
dreds of pieces, portions of the same being hurled over forty rods 
distant. The dome and two large pieces of the boiler weighing 
about a ton each, were thrown high in the air and dropped about 
two hundred feet away. The engine bed dug out, turned over and 
thrown half around. Many timbers were shivered to pieces. Near- 
ly all the machinery below was destroyed and a perfect wreck 
made. James Curtis Rider, the engineer, was instantly killed. E. 
C. Hurd, head-sawyer, while filing a saw, and E. F. Gook were bad- 
ly cut in the head. George Getty, H. Benedict, Sylvester Elliott 
and John Vradenburg each had narrow escapes. Low water is 
supposed to have been the cause. The damage was about $(i,000. 

Death of I. H. Cogswell.— The subject of this sketch was born 



104 OCEANA COUNTY PIONEERS 

in Auburn, N. Y., in the year 1813, coming from there to Marshall 
in 1851, where he remained one year. Leaving that place he mov- 
ed into Eaton County, where after two year's residence he came to 
Newaygo County, near the line. This was in 1856. In the spring 
of 1859 he emigrated to Kansas, and after a four years' stay re- 
turned to this point again, and after about one year moved across 
the line into Greenwood, Oceana County, where he lived until the 
tragic event which is hereafter described occurred. He was a man 
of commanding appearance, highly sensitive on questions of honor, 
and was resj)ected and loved by all who knew him. He had been 
Judge of Probate for Newaygo County one term, and after coming 
to Greenwood was made Supervisor of that township, which posi- 
tion he held for five consecutive terms, and had just entered upon 
the sixth. 

The home he lived in was a log structure with a board lean-to, or 
shanty, situated on section one of Greenwood township. On the 
death of J. D. Stebbins, a lumberman in that vicinity, he was ap- 
pointed administrator of the estate. He had been notified by 
Jndge of Probate F. J. Russell, to appear before the Probate Court 
on Monday, the 30th day of June, 1879, and render his account as 
administrator. The amount of estate to be accounted for Avas 
about §2,000. It was not thought that there was any shortage 
when matters were figured out. Neil McCallum, his son-in-law. and 
Lachlan McCallum were his bondsmen. In April he had made a 
proposal to Judge Russell to settle, which was refused, and on the 
26th day of June he went to Lachlan McCallum in hopes of getting 
the matter straightened out, but he was not at home. He came 
home under the impression that his administration was suspected 
and would be attacked, and the next day he spent in figuring. 
The 28th he also remained at home and did nothing but look over 
the figures and help his wife about the house. The next day was 
Sunday. He had spoken for a horse to go to Hart Monday for a set- 
tlement. He claimed he had everything but some money due from 
Lachlan McCallum, and that appeared to worry him. On Sunday 
morning, the 29th, about sunrise he made a fire in the stove and 
then asked his wife to go with him into the room, and when he got 
there he took four jDackages of money and a book and put them in 
the stove and burned them, in spite of his wife's entreaties not to 
do so. He said, "I'll show them a trick the devil never did." Af- 
ter he had burned the money he took a pa^Der and going to the clos- 
et lighted the clothing. Mrs. Cogswell tried to throw a dress out of 
doors but he prevented her. He said he was tired of life and want- 
ed her to go with him. She inquired, "How will we go?" "I will 
have to kill you first," he said. He had a razor in his hand. She 



AND BUSINESS MEN OF TO-PAY. 105 

refused, and he followed her out of doors and said "The money is 
gone and we must go." He implored her to come with him. He 
said he was going to his grave. He then went into the house again 
and returning came out with a pocketbook in his hands and throw- 
ing it at his wife, said, "That is your wheat money." He then went 
in and that was the last ever seen of Isaac H. Cogswell. The house 
was burned to the ground. The coroners' verdict was "Death by 
deliberately walking into his burning house." The community was 
divided in opinion as to his being dead, many claiming the fire was 
only a blind, and that he had left the country. This opinion lost 
its force as year after year rolled by and nothing was ever heard of 
him. He was sixty-six years of age when his tragic death occurred. 

Bull, of the Woods.— John S. Hyde, a machinist, musician and 
genius, imbued with the same idea that actuated Charles Mears in 
1864, namely, that the navigation of the South Branch of Pent wa- 
ter River was practicable, set about the construction of a scow-bot- 
tom boat, to be propelled by steam. The boat was constructed 
with esjpecial reference to the accommodation of passengers and the 
carrying of freight between the two villages, Hart and Pentwater. 
Mr. Hyde completed his boat and in addition to making several 
l)leasure excursions from Pentwater, he actually did make several 
trips, but as the Wigton grist mill when requiring the water, left 
the stream so shallow that the boat was obliged to lay for hours 
at a time waiting for water, this made it too expensive, and Mr. 
Hyde after trying ineffectually to secure the natural water of the 
stream at stated periods, abandoned his enterprise. He still as- 
serts that with the natural How of water he would have made the 
navigation of the river practical and profitable to both jjlaces. 
His boat was "dubbed" the "Bull of the woods." Unlike the Mud 
Hen, described on page 53, it did not prove a profitable investment, 

Mrs. Gainer Captures a Horse-thief.— Gilbert Brayton stole 
a span of horses and set of double harness from Messrs. Sweet ife 
Taylor's mill in Ludington, on Saturday night, Sept. 27, 1879, 
about 10 o'clock, and going across to the village, took a double 
wagon and hitching his team to it, drove off. As near as can be as- 
certained, he traveled until about 2 o'clock Sunday afternoon with- 
out stopping, and it is very doubtful if any one knows just what 
roads he took up to this time in his efforts to balHe his pursuers 
and elude pursuit. But the pangs of hunger now compelled him to 
stop at "Mother Gainer's" for dinner, and this finished, he a^am 
set forth, going to Crystal Valley, Hart, Smith's Corners. Pentwa- 
ter, and then east and north, until at 2 o'clock Monday morning, 
he was back at the very place where he took dinner the day before. 



106 OCEANA COUNTY PIONEERS 

He had evidently been bewildered, and had in the 12 hours made a 
complete circle. 

Just after he had been to dinner at Mother Gainer's on Sunday, 
SherifJ Moulton came hurriedly along, and telling the tale of the 
theft and offering $25 for the thief, he greatly excited the old lady, 
who had unconsciously given shelter to the scoundrel, and now was 
not slow in giving all the information possible which might lead to 
his capture. "Drive, Sheriff, drive like h— 1," she concluded, "and 
j^ou'll catch him." 

On Brayton's return he seemed in haste to depart, but Mother 
Gainer called him to one side and told him she was a fortune teller, 
that she knew everything that he had done from the day he was 
ten years old, and everything he would do up to the end of his mor- 
tal career, and that she would prove it by telling him a fact known 
only to themselves, and then looking him full in the face she said: 

"You stole those horses." 

Brayton did not attempt to deny it, and she then told him she 
would buy the team of him, but he would have to go with her to 
Pentwater after the money. He seemed loth to consent, but final- 
ly did so. On the way he got ready to jump from the wagon sever- 
al times, but Mother Gainer was too wide awake to j)ermit any- 
thing of the kind and safely brought him to the village, where Con- 
stable Roddy stood ready to escort him to jail, having been warn- 
ed by Sheriff Moulton who had followed Brayton in all his wander- 
ings as far as Smith's Corners, where he lost the trail. 

Mother Gainer said she exjpected Brayton would attempt to es- 
cape before he was brought to Pentwater. 

"But," said she, "I made up my mind if he jumped from the wag- 
on I would fall on top of him, and holler like the devil." 

Sheriff Moulton had his prisoner safely in his own custody before 
noon, and took him to Ludington where he had his examination 
and was bound over for trial. 

Wkeck of the Mercury.— Nov. 20, 1879, the citizens of Pent- 
water were startled by the information that the schooner Mercury, 
ladened Avith 250,000 feet of lumber, cleared from Ludington to 
Chicago, was going to pieces in the heavy sea south of Pentwater, 
and that the crew were in imminent peril of their lives. The beach 
was soon lined with people anxious to assist the crew ashore. The 
sea that was running was so heavy that not a boat could be found 
that would ride the breakers a minute. The telegraph wire between 
Pentwater and Ludington was down and help from there could not 
be secured. The line was repaired finally and a message sent, and 
about twelve o'clock that night Capt. H. B. Smith, with the little 
steamer Magnet, brought a volunteer life crew from Ludington with 



AND BUSINESS MEN OF TO-DAY. 107 

the life boat in tow, and all the men were rescued. In the after- 
noon, ijrior to the arrival of the Magnet, the crew on the ill-fated 
bark tried in vain to float a line ashore, and a skif! was manned 
by three brave men, Henry Hawkins, Frederick Sorenson and father, 
and an attempt was made to reach the end of the line. They got 
near enough for Hawkins to grasp the end of the line when the skit! 
capsized and all three were thrown into the water. The two So- 
rensens reached the shore in an exhausted condition, while poor 
Hawkins became entangled in the line and sank to rise no more. 
The sailors drew the body near the Mercury, but the line breaking 
the body was lost, and was never recovered. 

Capt. H. B. Smith, for his gallant conduct that night in braving 
the terrible sea that rolled with his little steamer, was afterwards 
rewarded by a medal for gallantry, by Act of Congress. 

The Wreck of the Lamoxt. One of the most terrible lake ca- 
tastrophes that ever occurred near Pentwater was the wreck of the 
tug Geo. Lamont and the loss of all on board, March 14, 1880. 
Some time previous C. R. Whittmgton and P. H. Adams purchased 
and brought to Pentwater the tug Gem, repaired and fitted it up 
for general tugging business upon the lake. From the time the Gem 
arrived a rivalry sprang up between the owners of the tugs Mes- 
senger and Lamont and the Gem. The s^jirit of rivalry was main- 
tained and strengthened by bantering, hectoring remarks by each 
and the circulation of false stories concerning the seaworthiness of 
the respective crafts. At last it culminated in an agree- 
ment for a race to take place next day. The Lamont was a small 
tug of less than five tons burthen, while the Gem was about ten 
tons. Statements of all kinds were circulated and side bets made, 
and the captains were each wrought up to such a pitch of excite- 
ment that nothing short of a catastrophe to start with would have 
stopped them. 

The fatal Sunday dawned with a heavy sea rolling in, and every- 
thing being in readiness they started upon the race. The persons 
on board the Gem were Captain P. H. Adams, John Millidge and 
Moore Hardway, and on board the Lamont were Captain Charles 
Lamont, his son Georgie, a lad of about twelve years, and Palmer 
Hill. It was evident from the start that the Lamont was no match 
for the Gem in such a sea, yet she ploughed along through the 
breakers in a vain endeavor to keep up. Many people watched 
them until they were a couple of miles out, and not being able to 
see them longer on account of the falling snow, returned to their 
firesides. About the middle of the afternoon the Gem came back, 
having made the trip and returned. Upon inquiry as to the La- 
mont, Adams stated that when about four miles out she turned 



108 OCEAXA COUNTY PIONEERS 

about, and as he supposed, returned to Pentwater, as the snow en- 
veloped her so he could not see her any great distance, and he had 
not seen her since. The people ot Pentwater immediately scoured 
the beach and about three miles north the Lamont was discovered 
wrecked, with no sign of anyone on board. The bodies afterwards 
came ashore and were interred in the village cemetery. Mr. La- 
mont was one of the best engineers in the place, a good mechanic 
and a daring sailor. Many a time has he breasted the rolling 
waves with a tug to relieve some vessel in distress, or aid them in 
making port. He seemed to be absolutely without fear. 

Death op Judge Littlejohn. — Ex-Judge Flavins J. Littlejohn, 
whose portrait appears on page 36, and who was the first Judge 
occupying the bench in Oceana County, died at his residence in Al- 
legan, Michigan, in May, 1880, of senile disease of the bladder. For 
many years the Judge presided over a circuit extending from Alle- 
gan along the lake shore north to the straits, and rode the circuit 
with lawyers who attended the Court in its journeyings. Many 
hardships and privations were encountered and endured in the ear- 
ly times. County seats were not even "flag stations," but the ap- 
proaches to the local seats of justice were through paths where no 
vehicle could be drawn and travel was on horseback or afoot, and 
it was a lucky trip that was without meeting with mishaps in the 
shape of swollen rivers, bridgeless, forest fires, or blockades of fall- 
en trees. As settlers came in the judicial circuit was divided and 
sub-divided until at present there are several formed out of the orig- 
inal territory traversed by the late Judge. His reputation was un- 
blemished and his decisive manners coupled with good, practical 
judgment and legal attainments created a strong personal friend- 
ship and great respect for his decisions, approximating to almost 
infallibility. We recollect a time when if a question was to bej)lac- 
ed at rest all that was necessary was to quote the venerable Judge's 
opinion — that settled it beyond cavil. For many years he had 
been in feeble health yet had continued to practice law after his re- 
tirement from the bench, as his condition would permit — died in 
the harness. The last visit to our county that we are aware of 
was in 1875, when he assisted in the trial of the case of Post vs. 
Rich, which involved the title to quite a portion of the village of 
Pentwater. He was bright and lively as of yore, but said w^ork 
tired him; still he was hapj)y to meet old time friends once more 
and spent the most of the night in talking of the old times and ac- 
quaintance, and laughed as heartily as any one at the recalling of 
jokes and ludicrous scenes, and recounted many that came to his 
mind. Indeed, this was one of his favorite pastimes. He is the 
author of "Legends of Michigan and the Old Northwest," which 



AND BUSINESS MEN OF TO-DAV. 109 

abounds with anecdotes of the old pioneer hfe of our State and 
which has met with favor all over our country as a narrative of 
border experiences. He was a man of decided political opinions, 
yet although an ardent democrat he could recognize the right of 
others differing with him, and grant to them the same privileges 
that he claimed for himself. Truthfully may we say he was a pure 
and upright Judge and a genial gentleman. 

Shelby Independent.— Judson Palmiter, founder of the Oceana 
Co. Journal, and at one time one of the proiDrietors of the Oceana 
Times, having removed the material of the old Times office to Shelby, 
started the first paper in that village, which appeared on the 10th 
day of April, 1880. The name of the paper was the Shelby Inde- 
pendent. February 9th, 1884, Frank W. Newman purchased the 
plant and has since conducted the paper. Under Mr. Palmiter's 
management it professed to be independent in politics, but Mr. 
Newman made it an out-and-out republican paper, and has contin- 
ued it as such. 

The Alonzo Irons Disappearance.— On Friday, June 3, 1881, 
one of the most mysterious cases of disappearance that ever occur- 
red in the county, took place. Alonzo Irons, a young man whose 
home was in Pentwater, and who was highly regarded by all who 
knew him, having been employed by Nickerson & Collister to act as 
manager and store-keeper for them at Crystal, disappeared very 
mysteriously on the above date, and although people from all sec- 
tions turned out in numbers and scoured thecountry,and notwith- 
standing the fact that large rewards were offered and a Pmkerton 
detective employed for some time, a solution of the mystery has 
never been reached. 

In brief, the facts are as follows: On the day mentioned, after 
having eaten his dinner, he, in company with a young man by the 
name of Fisher, started from the mill with the intention of going to 
the house of a Mr. Chase to pay for some hay that had been pur- 
chased of him for Nickerson Sz. Collister. The young man who ac- 
companied him was going part of the way to deliver some axes to 
the Johnson brothers, who were making bolts in the woods. Wb.iie 
they were walking along the string holding the axes broke and they 
fell, one of them cutting Fisher's heel. They stopped and bound 
up the wound, and Mr. Fisher came back. Irons taking the axes 
went on alone. He delivered the axes at the shanty and then pro- 
ceeded towards Chase's. He never reached Chase's house, and has 
never been seen by his friends since leaving the Johnsons. 

We herewith publish the detective's report of his investigations, 
as it has been seen by but few persons, and will give addition- 
al information concerning the efforts made to find Irons: 



110 OCEANA COUNTY PIONEERS 



PiNKERTON'S NATIONAL DETECTIVE AGENCY. 

L. G. Rutherford, Attorney at Law, Hart. 

Dear Sir:— According to your request an operative was detailed to proceed to 
Hart, Mich., to see you and make investigations in relation to the disappearance of a 
young man by the name of Alonzo Irons on June 3rd. Irons being the foreman for 
Nickerson & Collister, proprietors of a saw mill in the woods 13 miles from Hart. 

Wednesday, June I5th, 1881. 

At 9 a. m. Operative C. left Chicago for Hart, where he arrived about 10 p. m. of 
the same day. He immediately called upon you and received a statement of the case 
as far as then known. 

Tliursday, June l6th, 1881. 

C. left Hart this morning, liaving received a letter of introduction from you to a 
Mr. Taylor in the vicinity of the saw mill where Irons worked. Arriving at the saw 
mill, C. saw the new foreman. Glover, who said that he knew Irons well; that he left 
the mill Friday, June 3rd, directly after dinner, without his coat, to go and see a man 
named Chase about some hay, and was seen three or four miles up the road by some 
bolt cutters, since which time he had not been seen. His accounts were all riglit and 
tliere was money due him by the firm. If nothing had happened to him he should 
have returned the same afternoon at 6 p. m. to take the men's time. Tliere was a 
dance that evening at an Indian's named Coxsheegan, and Irons was heard to say 
that he was going to attend it. After gathering a good deal of information of this 
sort, C. went to see King's wife. * * C. found her after a good deal of lumting 
among the Indians, at the house of a man named Cotton, and asked her to account 
for her time during the day on which Irons disappeared. Slie said she and her husband 
were at home all day with his little boy. In the afternoon Nelse Olcutt came and 
staid to supper, and went away about nine in the evening. She could not account for 
the blood which ^^■as found on the floor, but for the bullet hole through the window, 
she said that her husband locked her out one night and she broke the window with a 
stick trying to get in. 

Friday, June 17tii, 1881. 

C. left Hart again this morning and went up to see King. He found him at his 
house with his little boy. King was sick, but got up and seemed very willing to an- 
swer C.'s questions. His statement was to the effect that himself, his wife, the little 
boy, and a fellow named Olcutt were at iiome all of Friday afternoon and evening. 
His wife was mailing a dress, and none of them vicre away from tlie liouse only up to 
the cross-roads where the lioys had a bonfire in the evening. A man named ^'aughn 
who lives with his family a few rods further down, on the opposite side of tlie road, 
testified to the same thing. King showed C. what had been said to be a bullet hole 
in the window, and he at once saw that it was not made by a bullet, Init liy a stick 
close to the bottom of the pane. As to the spots of blood on tlie floor. King said that 
he remembered having opened a blister on his foot and a few drops of blood fell on 
the floor and chair. He showed C. the place on his foot where a large burn had re- 
cently healed. On making inquiry of Taylor, where King worked, C. learned that he had 
burned his foot on a stump which was yet on fire. C. asked King a good many ques- 
tions about his wite, and he said he had done the best he could for her, but that she 
had brought him into disgrace, and he could not take her back. He came away from 
Ada on her account. He did not know that Irons had been intimate with his wife, 
and he would not be able to recognize him if he passed him on the road. He felt sure 

that C was intimate with his wife, and if he caught C or any one else fooling 

around his house at night, he said he would shoot them, and he believed the law 
would sustain him. He told C. that he did keep his wife out one night when she 
came back with another man who hung about the gate. This was the night slie broke 
tlie window trying to get it. D. feels sure had there been any disturbance at King's 
that Vaughn's, who live a few rods away, would have heard in. C. then went to the 
mill where Irons was foreman, and saw Crowfoot, with whom Irons was quite inti- 
mate. Crowfoot was willing to tell all he knew, and talked quite freely of the affair, 
but he did not think that Irons ever had anything to do with King's wife, * * * 
C. managed by a great deal of questioning to draw out the fact that two Indians, at 



AXD BL^SINESS ME\ OF TO-DAY. HI 

least, had thieatened Irons' life, one by tlitMianu' of Lew Doniini.k. Crowfoot lii,l 
heard tluit Irons vam in tlie store alone with tliis "Itli of .luiy ahout a nionth at'o 
when Loni(! Kaptiste, an Indian and 4tii of Jnly-s hrother-in-Iaw.eame in and ordered 
her ont and drove her into tlie rain, and then turning to Irons tlneateiied lo kill hjin 
Jennie was with Irons in the store all the morning of June :h-d, the day he (lisii.p.-ir' 
ed. She had been working for Mrs. Kellogg, tlie wife of tlie boarding boss, win, turn- 
ed her away immediately after. Jenine left the cainp al)out an lioiu- before Irons 
bnt went in a different direction. Louie Baptiste has two brothers, Joe and .Miteliell ' 
and as they were working in the mill C. went in and took a look at them. He iiretend- 
ed not to notice them, but they ajipeared very uneasy and did not take f heir eyes oft 
from him while he was there. The other Indians working tliere dul not seem in the 
least suspicious. Louie and Joe were both at work the day Irons left, but Mitchell 
left that noon and was pretty drunk. Irons did not show u|) at the dance at • 'o.xshee- 
gawn's. After supiier at Taylor's, C. drove over to see Teter Starr, but gained no ad- 
ditional information. 

Saturday, June I8th, ISSL 
C. went up to the mill this morning and almost the lirst man he saw v.as Crow- 
foot, who told him that Johnny Gesucks, ai\ Indian, asked Inni (piietly what C. would 
give to know who killed Irons. C. had anticipated this rpiestion and liad posted 
Crowfoot what to say. Crowfcjot told Gesucks that he thought C. would give SGOO or 
$1,000. From this and other incidents suspicion points strongly to the Indians. C. 
then drove to Crystal, and saw Jennie Hiumaii,tlie sipiaw who is married to an Indi- 
an named Sabbee or Shawbee, who works in the Crystal .saw mill. He di<l not ques- 
tion her or let her know who he was, as he merely wislied to locate her. He next 
drove across the country to see Hank Kidder. Kidder with one of the liajitiste Indi- 
ans, found a place back of King's house and down in a swampy i)lace whieJi they claim- 
ed was the scene of a struggle, and Kidder's little boy and Joe l!a|)tiste each found a 
silver half dime and a nickel; also what they claimed to be mustache hairs tliat were 
scratched off by the body being dragged under the fence. The hair Kidder had die 
only had one,) was black and long, whereas Irons' niustaclie was only i)erceptible and 
about a cream color. Kidder impressed tlie operative as a blow-hard, and he is in- 
clined to think that he either "i)lanted'' these coins for the iturpose of creating a talk, 
or that they were dropped by tlie searchers, as they were found about a week after 
Irons disappeared. Today, on his return to Hart, ('. saw :\Ir. John Bean, the County 
Surveyor and an old settler, who is thoroughly conversant with the woods. 

Yours truly, Allkx 1'inkk.ktox. 

L. G. Rutherford, Esq., Attorney at Law, Hart, Mich. 

Dear Sir:— The following is the continuation of your report: 

Sunday, June iTtli, 1S8L 
C. went to King's place this morning and had a talk with him : C. also examined 
the spot back of his place where the money is said to have been found. Tlie ground 
was torn up and the grass considendily scratched, but this, of course, was di>ne by 
the searchers, as there are several reliable men who made an earlier search and they as- 
sured C. that there was no sign of any struggle. C. has examined King Uioronglily 
and separately trom his wife, and is convinced that he had nothing to do with the 
murder and that he knows nothing of it. C. thinks that jealous Indians did the work. 
C. saw the Vaughn family who live across the street from the Kings. The families 
are very intimate and the Vaughns are reliable. They say King and his w ife and lit- 
tle boy were about home all of the day that Irons disapiicarcd and they ct>rroborate 
King's story in various ways. C. went again to see if he could discover any smell In 
the woods where young Sayles claimed to have sinelled soniething, but C. was unable 
to find anything. C. went over to Bean's mill and saw Ira Fritz and Bleck Crowfoot 
and others. C. ran a rumor down about the Sweeney's, who keei) a store and sell 
wiiLsky at the mill on the sly, bnt it amounted to nothing. A good many .say that 
these Indians have not grit enough to commit ninrder, but C. has found several men 
w ho have been nearly killed, w hen taken unawares, for .some little offense, and \:ui- 
Brocklin, foreman of the shingle mill and a reliable man, said tliat the Indians are 



112 OCEAXA COUNTY PIOXEEliS 



just like wolves, cowardly and treacherous. Xow and then a decent one is found. C. 
returned to Sayles' and staid all nl<;ht. 

Wednesday, June 20th, 1881. 
C. went to Bean's mill early this morning and VanUroeklin told him that Austa- 
liasong, an old Indian and a relialjle one, had found a trail near Paybama Lake that 
he wished C. to look at. Van Broeklin is an old trailer and he said that the Indian's 
word is reliable, and C. asked him if he would go and show him (C.) the trail. He 
said he would. During the talk the villainous faces of Joe and Louis Baptiste were 
watching C, but he paid no attention to them. YanBrocklin borrowed Shonagee- 
sick's river boots for C. and they started on what proved to be a sixteen mile tramp. 
YanBrocklin and C. with Austahasong and his son and two other Indians left camp 
and after walking about seven miles came to the marsh near Paybama Lake. It Is a 
wild, desolate place and they saw several bear tracks. After they waded through the 
swamj) a long distance tliey came to the trail. Austah gave a grunt and pointed to it. 
They then \\cnt to the place in the woods where it starts and followed it down to the 
creek where it crossed, and then through the swamp grass to within three or four 
rods of Paybama Lake, where It could not be seen on account of the luiture of the 
ground. C. saw that a soft, heavy body had been dragged over it towards the lake. 
It looked as if a bag of wheat or oats had been dragged over the place. It certainly 
was no canoe. C suggested a bear or deer, but could see at once that if it were either 
hair would have been left on the trail. Austah said "If bear or deer trail go from 
lake." One of the Indians suggested that a bundle of light wood for burning in a 
jack-light was dragged there, and Au-tah laughed at dragging light wood a 
Ion"- wav through water ^^ hen there was plenty of it on the banks of the lake ; besides 
where the trail started there was no light wood. The trail led to within a few rods of 
a canoe that Austah made over a year ago, and it has been on the lake ever since. C. 
got into the canoe and paddled around the lake, which is small but deep and shut in 
by thick woods all around ; he could see the bottom in some places covered with moss 
aiid weeds, but that was only on the edge. After making the circuit of the lake C. di- 
rected the party to go back and see if they could find anything in the shape of a trail 
leading from the place where the body was dragged. Tliere were three little smokes 
or small fires where the trail began, and after searching about for some time Austah 
and YanBrocklin found the tracks of persons leading away from the trail and also the 
same tracks deeply indented pointing towards the trail. 0. was a little skeptical 
about the identity of these tracks, but he could see that they were old and deep, as if 
a heavy body had been carried. After about two hours' work the Indians followed 
the track to the old w'agon road cut down to the swamp from the main road and about 
half a mile from where Irons was last seen. There was just one faint wagon track on 
this road, and all said that the road had not been used for months. It certainly looks 
as if a body had been carried in a wagon as far as the road goes and then slung from 
a pole or carried on a litter to a lonely place near the swamp and then dragged to the 
lake, taken in the canoe and thrown into the water. C. did not rely on his own opin- 
ion entirely, but on that of experienced woodsmen like Austah, YanBrocklin and oth- 
ers, all of whom said that nothing could be dragged by a hunting and fishing party 
that would make a similar trail. One Indian, Bailey, differed, but he is a Catholic 
and Austah is a Methodist. The other is a Pagan and agreed with Austah. 

Tuesday, June 21st, 1S81. 
This morning C. saw John Bean and he was going up to see Lon Yates where Mrs. 
King was stopping. C. decided to go with him. On the way up with Bean, C. decid- 
ed to drag the lake Thursday, going to Pentwater to-morrow after the tools. When 
they arrived at Yates' C. found that Mrs. King had gone w ith Yates' peddler and did 
not know where. On his return C. stoi)ped at Monroe Wicks', where Olcutt works, 
but he was not there. C. had a talk with Mr. Holt, a neighbor just across the road, 
who had heard Olcntt's story, and believed it. Further down the road C. met Mr. 
Wicks and he .said Olcutt was strictly truthful and he believed him. Olcutt was at 
King's from two in the afternoon until nine in the evening with King, his v^^ife, and 
Willie, King's son. C. drove on and met one of the Supervisors. On driving by Cot- 
ton's near Bean town, C. saw Mrs. King. They had a talk and she said she would 



AND BUSINESS MEN OF TO-DAY. 11 3 

like to 8-0 to Hart, and C. invited Her to ride <l<mn witl. l.im as tl.at woul.l lmv,- i,i„, 
a.v opportunity to tallc witl. l.er. She said sl.e wonld «o. and after f. drove over 
lie mill, on the way baek he pieked lu-r n,.. She told V. a Kood deal of h.r past life 
how she was arrested when Vi years old for being a prostitute. She said she would' 
never go l.aek to King, but was going to Cran.! Rapids or A.la, her fornu-r lion..- si... 
told C. she was going to get some of King's notes into her liands and sell s.)mi.- „f his 
horses If she eould, and invited V. to come and see her at (Jraud Ka|.lds ( )n •irrivinu- 

at Hart C. got supper for her and got her a n and bought her a ron.b. button-lu.ok 

and several little trifles. 

, , , Wednesilay, June 22nd, Isrfl. 

C. heard today that Louie Baptisle beat his wife some time ago for havhi - *' 00 
which she could not account for and he swore that Irons was at the bottom of it" This 
came through Billy General, an Indian. C. spread the report that he was to drive 
to Paybama Lake and drag it on Thursday, and then asked Auslah to watch and see 
if any one came there before then. C. then drove to I'entwati'r witii Kd. Irons and 
met Mr. Nickerson, one of the proprietors of the mill, wiio inomised to do evcrytliin- 
he could to aid in the matter. Keturning to 15ean-town C. took supper at Capt Irons" 
C. saw Lou's boots and learned that Ed. wore them while searching. This accounts 
for the tracks on King's oat field. 

Thursday, June 23rd, 1881. 

This morning after makinga very efficient diag, ('. assisted by his party commen- 
ced to drag the Paybama Lake. They worketl hard all day, but did not liiid anything 
to reward their efforts. 

Friday, June 24th, 18.S1. 

They resumed dragging this morning and continued till 3 p. m. with no .success. 

VanBrocklin, who is an old sailor and fisherman, was the best man C could haw Iiad. 

They found another little lake close by and decided to drag it when they got a better 

»"'S- Yours Truly, Ai.r.K.v Plvkkihon. 

T -^. T> ,, ... ., ('HU-A(;o, Jidy Uth, 18,si. 

L. G. RuTHEnFOKD, Esq., Attorney at Law, Hart, .Mich. 

Dear Sik:— The following is a continuation of Mr. Coe's report : 

Satui-day, .Tunc 2.')th. ISS|. 

This morning C. went over into Mason county to see Joe Adams, a man wiio took 
a prominent part in the search for Irons, and who i)ioi)osed to lynch King. ('. met 
him near his house and had a long talk with him, and there seemed to lie still better 
cause for suspicion against the Haptiste boys. Billy (ieneral, an intelligent Indian 
who lives near him, thinks that Louie Baptiste, if not guilty, at least kn<tws something 
about the disappearance of Irons. Johnny Pete, a sou of old Pete Pnckanobanaw, 
took his father and mother over to the town of Elbridge, either the day before or on 
the morning of the disa])pearaiice of Irons. Johnny Pete was said to have been with 
the Baptiste boys late in the night in which Irons disappeared. After they had come 
back, a few' days after the disappearanc ', from searching for Irons, .loe Adams 
asked Louis Baptiste why he did not assist in the search, and Baptiste said: "What 
for you ask me'.' I no killum Irons." C. then drove back to camp where . Johnson 
and several Swedes who had lately arrived, were stopping. These were the men who 
last saw Irons, a short distance beyond Bean's camp. Johnson was willing to tell all 
lie knew. He .said that Irons was walking along the road a little after 4 o'clock m the 
afternoon. He walked slowly as if thinking of something, with his head down and one 
hand behind his back. These men were sitting 011 a log smoking and did not speak 
to Irons nor did he notice them. C. then returned to Bean-town. 

Sunday, Juno2fJtli. 

Today C. went down to Hart to write up his reports, which he is iimil>le to ilo In 

the woods. 

Monday, .June '.'7tli. 

Cleft Hart early this morning and went to the mill and took a walk over into 

Mason county to see Adams. He was not at home, butt", foimd him In the woods 

talking to Billy (reneral and several other Indians. C. ami Adams walked bark t'> 

the house and in a short time were joined by Billy CJeneral. Billy siud in substance 

the same as Adams told C. on .Saturday. He said that the Indiana woiUd not kill a 



114 OCEANA COUNTY PIONEERS 

man for money, but they would -do so for revenge. He seemed to think that Lonis 
BaiJtiste acted strangely when talkhig to Adams. He promised to try and find out 
where Johnny ruckanobanaw went with his team on the night before Irons disap- 
peared. He thought he couldn't do much because the Indians seemed to be suspicious 
of liim. General agreed to come to Hart Wednesday or Thursday. On liis way back 
C. stopped at Crystal and saw Ira Ford, a Constable of that place. C. asked him if he 
knew anyl)ody who could be trusted to rope in with Jennie Sawbee. Mr. Ford sug- 
gested a French Indian named Louis Tremblee, and said he would do all he could to 
assist C. 

Tuesday, June 28th, 1881. 

C. came to tlie conclusion that it would be impossible to rope in with the Indians 
on account of their imperfect knowledge of English and the fact that they will not 
talk about each other. He decided that the only way to do was to arrest the wliole 
party, and then either trust to their giving each other away or imprison them togetli- 
er and have a hole cut in the ceiling of tlieir cell and have Niley Sayles, who speaks 
the Indian language, and Billy General concealed in the room aboye to listen to tlieir 
talk. C. went to Hart today for tlie purpose of submitting this plan to tlie autliorities 
there. They approved of it, but it was finally decided tliat C. should question the ])ar- 
ties who are suspected as soon as he could get Sayles to act as an interpreter. He is 
away, but will be back in a short time and C. will then see wliat can be done with the 
Baptiste boys and Jennie, c. tlien went back to Bean-town and spent the day in get- 
ting all the information lie could about tlie suspected parties. He learned that Louis 
Baptiste had nearly killed a white man named Betsy in Pentwater two years ago, 
which shows tliat he is of a bad disposition. 

Wednesday, June 29th, 1881. 

Today C. went over to Crystal to see if Ford had learned anything about the mat- 
ter from Jennie. He said that Treml)lee had had her out the night before but could 
get nothin'i' out of her in regard to the matter. C. then returned to Bean-town. He 
is trying to find out how Austaliasong found tlie trail by Payljama Lake in such a des- 
olate place. C. learned that an old squaw, the graudmotlier of tlie Baptistes, dreamed 
that she saw two men carrying a body through the swamp and .iust as theyv.ere about 
to sink it in Paybama Lake she woke up. C. will try to find out whether the old lady 
dreamed this, or really knows anything about it. He will also try to find out who 
started the story that Louis Baptiste gave his wife a whipping on finding out that she 
had $3.00. C. also got a letter from Mrs. King asking him to come an d see her in Grand 
Rapids. {'. learned that she hul said before leaving that C. was pretty cute but she had 
not told !iim everything she knew. 

Thursday, June 30th, 1S81. 

C. went to Hart today and waited for Billy General, but he did not come. About 
noon Adiims came and said General had refused to come, saying tliat he could not af- 
ford to pay the expense. Adams ottered to pay his expenses, but he would not come, 
as he seems to be afraid to tell what he knows. 

Friday, July 1st, 1881. 
C. started this morning, taking Sayles with him, to see Jennie. He found her in 
bed. She refused to talk until C. tlireatenod to arrest her when she became more 
tractable. C. asked her when she last saw Irons. She said the day he left she was in 
the store with him. She said that she knew tliat he was going away in the afternoon. 
C. said, "Well, wliat time was it you met him in tlie woods." She said she did not meet 
him ; she left Bean-town after he went. Slie went to Jolin Cotton's near by, and after 
staying a little while went over to Shagonaliee's house. This is true. C. asked her how 
long she staid at Sliagonabee's. Slie said two weeks. This was a lie as she was arrest- 
ed three days after at Crystal. Sue said she knew nothing about Irons. They then 
went over to Grossman's mills where old man Bailey lived. Bailey is the Indian who 
was with C. on the trail at Paybama Lake. He says he is certain that the body was 
dragged there. He thought tliat Johnny Coby, an Indian now at White River, started 
tlie story about Louis Baptiste finding his wife witli two dollars. C. then went over to 
Bean-town. He had a talk with Louis Baptiste who acted very strangely and contra 
dieted himself several times. C. asked him if he had ever had any trouble with Irons. 



AND BUSINESS MEN OP TO-nAV. 115 

He said that the Indians all loved Irons as he was so good to them C nsked lilm 
where he went last Tuesday. He said lie went to see Charlie General, who was a nolo- 
nous druukard and sui)i)osed to he a hrother of Hilly General. He said he told Ini 
Fritz that he went to Mason County, as he wanted him to think !iis horse was a "ocl 
one, as he wanted to buy it of him Ira had said that Louis had followed them xvlien 
they went to Mason County. Louis said that on the nijilit Irons disai.i)eared he went 
home and went to bed; he dichrt f;o to the (bmee at Cox.seKan's bcause lie was tired. 
It IS the lirst time he missed a dance anywhere. He said he didn't know anytldn},' 
about his wife getting .$2.00 from Irons. He said his brother Mit-hell was at tl"i.' mdl 
that afternoon. VauBroekliu, foreman iu tlie mill, says that Mitchell left the mill at 
noon with Charley Pete. C. then saw Charlie I'ete wlio seemed very nervous wliile C. 
was talking to him. He denied having been away from the mill on Friday, .Tune :iril, 
and stuck to it. Mr. S^icer, who lives near by, says that he was in the store the day 
before Irons disappeared, and Louis Baptiste was there also and was talking in an an- 
gry manner to him. * * Irons came from behind the counter in a threatei' lug 
manner and said: "What's that you sayV Louis said that he iniglit be mistaken. 
They spoke a few words in the Indian tongue and then Louis went away, but they were 
both angry. C. then went to see Louis" wife. Fourth of July was there also." .Mrs. 
Baptiste was very anxious to know who told C. that Irons had given her two dollars, 
and seemed very indignant at it. * * C. asked Louis' wife what time Louis 
came home and where lie went after supper on the night of Irons' di.saiiiiearanee. She 
said he went to bed after supper as he was tired. Ira Fritz will swear that he saw Lou- 
is go towards home at supper time and then come back. He hung around ui.til dusk 
and then left. C. then went to see Mitchell Baptiste. He was not at home. His wife 
said that Mitchell went to bed on tlie night of the disappearance right after supper. 
Louis Shagoubee's wife was there and C. asked how long Jennie staid at lier house af- 
ter Irons disaopeared. She said two nights. Tliis is true. C. waited some time for 
Mitchell, but he did not come and C. went back to Sayles". 

C. thicks that the result of his inquiries among the Indians shows that they must 
know something about the matter or they would not lie so about it. Sayles, wlio at 
first did not believe that the Indians knew anytliing about it is now inclined to think 
that they know more aI)out it than they will tell. 

Yours Respectfully, Ai.i,k.\ I'inkkuto.v. 

A Sad Accident at Crystal.— A vci-y sad accident occurred at 
Crystal Valley on the evening of July 31,1879. Two boys, the 
sons of Mr. and Mrs. Wm. McClure, were both drowned in the mill 
pond, a small body of water covering about two acres. Geo. P. 
Quinn, son of Mrs. McCkire by a former husband, a lad of 
about fourteen years of age, and Warren McClure, son of Mr. Mc- 
Clure by a former wife, nine years of a^e, were the victims. They 
■were both bright hids having many friends who predicted for them 
a bright future. The circumstances of the affair were briefly these: 
On the evening named the boys cam^from school and requested of 
their fcXther, who was sick in bed, permission to go in srt-imniing. 
He consenting, they repaired to the mill pond and were seen at 
about six o'clock playing in the shallow water. This was the last 
seen of them in life. The fact that they did not come to supper 
•?\-as commented upon, but the parents concluded they had gone af- 
ter the cows and so the matter rested until dusk, when a search 
was instituted which resulted in the finding of both bodies in the 
pond. Warren was lying upon his back in about eight feet of wa- 



116 OCEANA COUKTY PIONEERS 

ter, while George was clinging to him face down. The supposition 
was that Warren had gone beyond his depth and George in at- 
tempting to assist him also perished. The affair cast a gloom over 
the community for many days. 

The Scandinavian, Evangelical, Lutheran Church op Oceana 
County. — Among the pioneers of Oceana County there were a few 
Scandinavians who settled in what are now Benona andCIaybanks 
townships. Coming from countries having a State Church, and 
where the principles of Christianity are early and firmly inculcated 
into the mind, it is but natural that early in their pioneer life they 
should yearn to establish among themselves the church of their 
fathers. In the summer of 1862, urged by their inherent desire, 
they sent an invitation to Rev. Hatlestad, of the Augustana Syn- 
od, to visit them. He came, and on the 10th of August, 1862, 
they met for the first time in these almost unbroken wilds for wor- 
ship. Accustomed as they had been in the Old World to regularly 
attend services, how must it not have thrilled them as again they 
bowed in prayer, and, with the moaning of the Great Lake wafted 
calmly throuuh the solitudes of the primeval wilderness surround- 
ing them on every side, as accompaniment, they again sang the 
psalms they had sung in youthful days. 

In the afternoon of the same day, they held a meeting to organ- 
ize a Church, at which the following persons united and formed the 
Church whose name appears at the head of this sketch: 

Anders H. Brady and wife Ingeborg. 

John Munson and wife Fredericka. 

Andrew H. Brady and wife Julia. 

Henry Hendrickson and wife Martha. 

Tollef Hendrickson and wife Nicoline. 

Tollef Brady and wife Gurine. 

Halvor H. Brady and wife Nicoline. 

Nils Haroldson and wife Maren. 

Christopher Knudson and wife Isabella. 

Ole Fergesen and wife Oline. 

Halvor H. Brady. 

Annetta Brady. « 

Christopher Omholdt. 

A constitution was adopted in part, and Henry Henriekson, An- 
ders H. Brady and John Munson were elected deacons. 

In 1865, thirteen members were added, and in 1866 the balance 
of the constitution was adopted, the organization completed and 
eleven persons admitted to membership. 

The following is a list of those who have served the Church as 
pastors: 



AND BUSINESS MEN OE TO-DAY. 117 

Eev. J. Nesseth from the organization until 1868. 

Rev. J. C. Jacobsen from 1868 until 1870. 

Rev. T. H. Wald from 1870 until 1878. 

Rev. O. Amble from 1878 to 1884. 

Rev. H. Z. Hvid from 1881 until 1885. 

Rev. S. Olsen from 1885 until 188(). 

Rev. J. SiTSther from 1886 until 1887. 

Rev. O. C. Baker from 1887 and continuing. 

Ih 1869, Tollef Brady sold the Church three acres oi land and 
gave it two acres. The same year one acre of this was dedicated 
to a grave yard. Already, fine monuments mark the resting places 
of many who have been closely connected with the interests of the 
Church. Foremost among these maybe mentioned Ander.s II. Bra- 
dy and John Munson, two of the first deacons. 

In 1884, a neat litt^ church was built, in Claybanks. It is 50 
feet long, 32 feet wide and 18 feet high, with the addition of a ves- 
try in the rear. The steeple, of ancient architectural design, is 12 
feet sciuare and 64 feet high. The cost of the edifice and its furni.<Ii- 
ings was about $2,000. 

At present the membership exceeds two hundred, and the Church 
is in a healthy and prosperous condition. 

The Makin Murder.— On the 11th day of October, 1884, .Tas. A. 
Barker, or Al. Barker, as he was known, shot and killed his broth- 
er-in-law, Willie Makin, in the presence of his wife, Makin's sister, 
and Jesse Howe and son. The shooting took place from Barker's 
barn, whither Makin and his sister had gone to get a gi-ist which 
Barker had ground at Pentwater the day before for Makin. Bar- 
ker stood in the open door with a stick in his hand, and as Makin 
stepped upon the bridge he struck him over the head with the stick 
breaking it. Makin then stepped one side as if to pick up a stone 
and started up the bridge again, when Barker commenced liring up- 
on him, one of which shots took effect, hitting Makin in the breast, 
causing almost instant death. Jesse Howe, who witnessed the 
tragedy, brought the news to Hart and officers immediately start- 
ed after and arrested Barker at a neighbor's house near by. He 
was under the influence of liquor and had a revolver on his person 
fully loaded. The trial took place in the February term of Court 
following, and being the first murder trial in the county, e.xcited 
considerable attention. The Prosecuting Attorney, C. B. Stevens, 
and the Hon. F. W. Cook, of Muskegon, conducted the prosecution; 
L. G. Rutherford and Hon. W. E. Ambler thedefense, J udge Rainsdell 
presiding. He was found guilty of manslaughter and sentenced to 
ten years in Jackson State's prison. 

Several efforts were made to secure his pardon, but were iinavail- 



118 OCEAXA COUNTY PIONEERS 

ing. The murder was cold-blooded and heartless, but there were 
many extenuating circumstances brought to light. Had he not 
been under the influence of liquor, however, the murder would nev- 
er have occurred. 

On the 81st day of January, 18S8, Barker died in State's prison, 
o'f typhoid fever. 

Pentwater Furniture Factory.— We remember when we first 
came to Northern Michigan hearing the oft-repeated expression: 
"Yes, its a lively town now and will be for a few years, but what 
will be done when all the pine is gone?" 

While Oceana County has never been much of a pine timber point 
as compared with her neighbors on the north and south, still her 
first manufactures were of the saw mill species, and while in the 
main, the development of agriculture has gradually followed the 
lumber period, still the question of maintaining and increasing vil- 
lage growth must be by furnishing labor for men, and if steady thrift 
is secured some new manufactures must succeed the lumber mills. 
Pentwater took its first step in attempting to solve this problem 
in the spi'ing of 1882, when a few of her enterprising citizens reach- 
ed the determination to give over their efforts to induce foreign 
capital to come to their assistance, and resolved that they Avould 
make the venture unaided. It was arranged between Sands tt ]Max- 
well, Nickerson & Collister, and Nielsen & Co., three of the princi- 
pal firms, that they Avould contribute twelve thousand dollars of 
the amount necessary to start a furniture factory, and with this 
as a -leader" Messrs. Fred Nielsen, W. E. Ambler and E. Nickerson 
undertook to rai-se the necessary funds by a general subscription 
to capital of a joint stock company. 

It was a great undertaking when we consider the small number 
and ability of the citizens to invest in the enterprise. After some 
hard and persistent work, about $32,000 was subscribed and the 
company incorporated. On the 2oth day of May, 1882, the stock- 
holders met at the office of W. E. Ambler and organized by electing 
Edwin Nickerson, William B. 0. Sands, Edgar G. Maxwell, Thomas 
Collister, Fred Nielsen, Jacob Fisher, John Jeffries, Directors. Wil- 
liam E. Ambler was elected, but declined to serve and was excused. 
The Board of Directors organized by electing W. B. O. Sands, Pres- 
ident; E. Nickerson, Vice President; J. Jeffries, Sec'y; Fred Nielsen, 
Treasurer. 

Director Nickerson offered the following resolution: 
"That W. E. Ambler is hereby appointed as the agent of the 
company to purchase of Hon. Charles Mears certain ground for the 
use of the company, as he shall deem advisable and for the best in- 



GAZETTEER OF THE VILLAGE OF PENTWATER. 



Churches.— Congregational. M. E. Church. Kev. 
A. L. Coors, Pastor. Kai)tlst. Rev. M. L. Mar- 
vin, Pastor. St. James Mission, T-ay Reader, 
(;. H. Cleveland, M. ])., Catholic Church, no 
Resident Priest. 

Schools.— Union. Prof. F. O. Wickhain, Princi- 
pal. Assistant, Miss McBurney. Grammar, 
Jennie Boutoii. Intermediate, Jessie Eaion. 
2nd Intermediate, Etta Burr. Primary, Mrs. 
Mary Ilerrington. 

Secret Societies.— See Page IM and following. 

Attorney's.— Wm. E. Ambler, L. M. Hartwick, 
W. H. Tuller, Charles R. Johnson, H. W. Harp- 
ster. 

Physicians.— G. O. Switzer, M. D., Eclectic. G. 
H.Cleveland, M. I)., Regular. C.W.Cramer. 
M. 1)., Homeopathic. 

Bankers.- Nielsen & Co. 

Merchandise General.— Sands & Maxwell Lum- 
ber Co., C. Mears. A. J. Underbill. F. O. 
Gardner. 

Hardware.— C. F. Lewis & Co. 

L)ruggists.-E. A. Wright, F. W. Fincher. 

Furniture.— C. R. Whittington. 

Books and Stationary.— C. C. Ambler. 

Jeweler.— M. A. Rice. 

Photographer.— O. W. Stone. 

Millinery and Dre.ss Making.— Mrs. C. D. Pool. 
Miss. M. Nash. Mrs. C. H. Smith. Dressmak- 
ing, Mrs. L. Bane. Miss Glover. Ida Wal- 
radth. 

ResUiurant and Boarding.— Mrs. G. Wm. Grant 
R. Golden. ' 

Pentwater News.-L. M. Hartwick, Prop. 



Bakery— C. N. Wise. 

Hotels.— Inius House, E. W. Elliott, Prop. For- 
est House, W. S. Dnmont, Prop. Lake View 
House, W. C. Adkins, Prop. 

Weaver.— Mrs. E. Long. 

Billiards.— P. Dreves. 

P. O.-H. H. Bunyea, P. M. 

Saloons. —A. Fisher. T. Weidensee. 

Barbers.- C. Meaux. B. A. Smith. J. Cahlll. 

Clothing.— Wm. Klingbeil. 

Livery.— Wm. A. Rounds. 

Painters.— J. Jeifery. L. O. Vincent. G. W. 
Davis. 

Manufactories.— Pentwater Bedstead Co., Sands 
& Maxwell, Props. Middlesex Brick & Tile 
Co., Foundry and Water Works, E. J. Birk- 
ett, Prop. Tables, Wagons and Agricultural 
Implements, J. Halstead. Table Slides, J. S. 
Bird. Flouring Mill, Nickerson & CoUister. 
Planning and Carpenter, Labonta & Mero. 
Saw Mills, Sands & Maxwell Lumber Co., F. 
O. (Jardner, A. J. Underhill. Shingle, C. H. 
Chapman. Oceana County Canning and Evap- 
orating Co. 

Blacksmithing.— Wm. Ticknor, J. Halstead. 

Fishermen.— A. Warner, A. Cutler, J. Cutler, M. 
D. Pool, Robt. Venn, M. H. Putnam. 

Boat Line. — Pentwater and liUdington, twice 
each day. Steamer Geo. W. Sanford Jr. 

Railway.— C. & W. M. Two passenger trains 
daily. 

Fire Department.— Geo. Flood Chief. 

Atlethtic Club.— Niel VanAllsburg, President. 

News Agency.— Wm. M. Hartwick. 



AND BL'SIXESS MKK OF TO-DAY. 119 

terests of tlic company, paying therefor such sum as he may think 
proper," &c. 

Mr. Ambler visited Chicago and purchased for the company the 
present site, paying therefor $2,000 in stock and $300 cash. The 
company commenced building without delay. A fine factory .50.\;- 
100 feet, four stories high, with brick boiler and engine room was 
erected and the very best of new machinery jiut in. The first bill 
of furniture as disclosed by sale book was on Ajiril 12, 1883, "8 
Beds, $21.00." 

Furniture was shipped all over the U.S. and a large trade worked 
up. Only one fault was found, and that was, the goods were too 
well made for such cheap furniture. The comi^any employed froni 
50 to 100 men. 

The grave mistake made was the investment of too much capital 
stock in the factorj' and leaving the company practically without 
any working capital. The annual statement of 1884 shows of the 
capital stock of $32,750, the amount then invested in buildings, 
real estate and machinery to be $28,32.5.94, leaving the company 
to borrow all necessary funds for operating. This, together with 
experionce purchasing iit\a.Bt created a deVjt beyond the ability of 
the company to meet, and on Nov. 11, 188/3, the factory was sold 
to the Sands & Ma.xwell Lumber company, and the mortgage debt 
thus extinguished and the stock of Sands & Maxwell cancelled. 
This left the Pentwater Furniture Company with the stock on hand 
and bills receival;le to meet current debts and balance to divide 
among stockholders. The Sands & Maxv.ell Lumber Company 
commenced operations Jan. 1, 1887, under the name of Tiie Pent- 
water Bedstead Company. 

Since this company has taken possession of the factory it 
has pushed the business in its usual way, which is to crowd to 
the fullest capacity and increase facilities as fast as business will 
warrant: During the winter of 1887-8 it built a two-story brick 
addition, 48x164 feet, to tlie works, which is connected with the 
main building by a tramway from the second stories. As we have 
stated, the first order was received April 12, 1883, and was for 8 
beds, $21.00. Now the company furnishes work for one hundred 
hands, runs full time and is receiving orders as fast as they can be 
filled. In 1889 the company used in this establishment two mil- 
lion feet of lumber and expects to use three millions this year. Its 
sales in 1889 amounted to $84,833.78, and the furniture was ship- 
ped to all parts of the country, a c^uantity going to California. 
The present shipments are about $10,000 per month. It has 
an order from Denver, Col., at this writing, for a ten car lot. Mr. 
Sands personally suijerinteuds the factory, while Mr. J. H. Boutou 
acts as shipping clerk. 



120 



OCEAXA COUNTY PIONEERS 




OCEANA COUNTY SAVINGS BANK. 



July 2, 1885, the Oceana County Loan and Security Company 
was organized at Hart, Mich., and the following Directors elected: 



I 



AND BUSINESS MEN OF TO-DAY. 121 

L. McGraft, L. N. Keating, C. T. Hills, of Muskegon; Charles E. 
Lawrence, of Hillsdale; W. B. O. Sands and W. E. Ambler, of Pent- 
water; E. D. Richmond, of Hart. The authorized capital was 
$100,000. The Board of Directors organized by selecting the fol- 
lowing officers: President, W. E. Ambler; Vice President, C. T. 
Hills; Secretary, E. D.Richmond. The purpose of the organization 
was to invest its capital in first mortgages and other securities on 
long time and hold these papers for sale to any person wishing to 
make investments. The cut on previous page shows the home of- 
fice as first established. It is fire-proof and detached, built of brick 
and stone, with iron roof, cornice and shutters, 30x-i0 feet, with 
French plate glass front. It is highly and elegantly finished inside 
with native woods, has a vault 10x10 feet, with Hall & Co.'s fire 
proof doors, time lock, &c. Oct. 31, 1887, some of the stockholders 
sold to the present owners, and it was reorganized under the State 
banking law as the Oceana County Savings Bank. It now has 
.$70,000 capital paid in; surplus, $4,614.76; undivided jn'ofits, 
$6,409.31. The Board of Directors for 1890 are C. T. Hills, A. L. 
Carr, E. D. Richmond, C. H.Hackley, L. N. Keating, A. A. Dunton, 
D. J. Mathews: President, C. T. Hills; Vice President, A. L. Carr; 
Cashier, E. D. Richmond; Assistant Cashier, W. N. Sayles. 

The Banking House of Chukchili^, Oakes & Co., at Shelby, 
was organized July 1st, 1883, with a paid up capital of $10,000, 
which has since been increased each year. The business has proved 
a very satisfactory one to those engaging in it and has paid a fair 
dividend. At the organization Walter H. Churchill was elected 
President; Samuel W. Webber, Vice President, and Dustin C. Oakes, 
Cashier, and these gentlemen have continued to discharge the du- 
ties of the respective offices since. The firm have a large fire-proof 
vault containing a large burglar and fire-proof safe, with time locks. 
The office is in the new Opera Block and is furnished with all mod- 
ern improvements for safety and convenience. Thegentlenien com- 
posing the firm are all well known, and being possessed of a large 
amount of real and other property in this and other counties in 
the State, as well as good names for business integrity and honesty 
no person need have any fear of disaster in doing business with 
Churchill, Oakes & Co. 

Oceana Co. Tribune.— Some members of the gi-eenback party re- 
alizing the advantages of a party organ to represent their views 
during the jjrogress of a campaign, in Hept., 1886, organized a joint 
stock company comjjosed of leading greenbaekers, and installing F. 
Towns, a young man of editorial experience, as editor, commenced 
the publication at Hart, of the Oceana County Tribune, a seven 



122 OCEANA COUNTY PIONEERS 

column folio. While Mr. Towns was editor, W. Wigton, I. D. Reed 
and James Brassington were the real managers. Afterwards Mr. 
Towns retired and I. D. Reed became editor, which position he held 
until 1889, when he also retired and James Brassington became 
editor and manager, with Frank VanValkenburg, an experienced 
printer, as chief assistant. The paper is now recognized as an or- 
gan of the democratic as well as greenback party. It is well edited 
and X3resents a fine appearance. Mr. Brassington is a practicing 
attorney and devotes only a portion of his time to the manage- 
ment of the paper. 

Shelby Herald. — Harry M. Royal, a young man reared in the 
village of Shelby, who served his early aiDprenticeship in the Inde- 
pendent office of that place, afterwards occupying an important 
position in the office of the Tradesman, at Grand Rax^ids, estab- 
lished and in the month of May, 1888, issued the first number of 
the Shelby Herald. It is a six column folio, well edited, clean in 
appearance and bristling with locals each week. It is independent 
politically and receives a good patronage. The editor is a young 
man of promise and thoroughly alive to the interests of his village. 



CHAPTER XI. 



MUNICIPALITIES. 



PENTWATER. 



The township of Pentwater is the extreme northwestern town in 
the county and is designated as Town 16 North, Range 18 West. 
It comprises only fifteen sections of land. It is divided into two 
parts by the channel and little lake. The village is located on the 
north, east and west sides of the lake. The principal improvements 
and property value are located on the east and north side. The 
place was first settled by Edwin R. Cobb and Andrew Rector, as 
api^ears elsewhere. The name is undoubtedly a corruption 
of the wox'dspe7322ed water, indicating the little lakeui:)on the banks 
of which the settlement was made. The following is a list ot the 
Supervisors, Clerks and Treasurers of the township to 1890: 

Supervisors.— E. R. Cobb, 1856-7; D. G. Weare, 1858; Henry C. 
Flagg, 18o9-'61-2-3-J:-5-6; A. J. Underbill, 1860-'73; Edgar D. Rich- 
mond, 1867-8; Sewall Moulton, 1869; F. W. Ratzel,1870; Stillman 
Parker, 1871; G. W. Imus, 1872-5-6-'89; E. Nickerson, 1874; John 
Fegan, 1877-8; A. Brillhart, 1879; S. W. Buuyea, 1880-1-2; E. A. 
Wright, 1883; H. H. Bunyea, 1884-6-8; W. L. Tilden, 1885; Henry 
Hurley, 1887. 

Clerks.— James Dexter, 1856-7; E. R. Cobb, 1858; E. D. Rich- 
mond, 1859-'60-'75-6; Charles W. Deane, 1861; Andrew M. Dahl, 
1862; F. W. Ratzel, 1863-5-6; E. C. Hildreth, 1864; Henry H. 
Woods, 1867; E. E. Edwards, 1868.-9-'70; R. L. Rice, 1871-2; Hen- 
ry F. King, 1873; John S. Reynolds, 1874; A. J. Underbill, 1877; 
E. B. Clark, 1878-'80-9; W. P. Lee, 1879; W. H. Tuller, 1881-5-6- 
7-8; H. A. Gross, 1882-3-4. 

Treasurers.— Norman Rogers, 1856-7; W. P. Harding, ISoS; J. 
G. Blowers, 1859; Wm. Webb, 1860-1-2; W. H. Merritt, 1863; B. 
R. Hall, 1864; Thomas Craine, 1865-6; W. B. 0. Sands, 1867-8; E. 
W. Bovee, 1869-'70; W. A. Rounds, 1871-2-3; Mark A. Rice, 1874- 
5-6; H. H. Bunyea, 1877-8-'80; A. Sorensen, 1879; A. W. Newark, 



124 OCEANA COUNTY PIONEERS 

1881; J. H. Bouton, 1882-3-6; C.R.Whittington, 1881-5; F. Smith, 
1887-9; Otto Grant, 1888. 

Village of Pentwater. — Since the platting of Pentwater village 
its history may properly be divided into three periods, which the 
words inSatioD, depression, and healthy growth aptly designate. 
The first was the lumber period, the two branches of Pentwater 
River reaching many miles into the famous pine lands north and 
south, the fine harbor shielded from the heavy lake winds made it 
a desirable point to manufacture lumber and it grew rapidly, too 
rapidly in fact, for the pine becommg exhausted its mills thinned 
out and lumbermen sought other fields. About this time a sj'ndi- 
cate of speculators at Grand Rapids discovering that there was a 
flaw in Pentwater's recorded titles bought up quit claims from the 
heirs of the original owners and commenced a number of ejectment 
suits against those in possession. This caused the period of de- 
pression and Pentwater acquired the name of being a dead town. 
But the cloud upon the titles was removed by the Courts. It was 
soon discovered that it was almost entirely exempt from malarial 
influences and that serious illness was uncommon. Then a bed of 
very fine clay for brick or tile was discovered extending 
three-fourths of a mile along the banks of the little lake. The at- 
tention of the lumberman being diverted from pine it was noted that 
the beech, maxDle, cherry, ash, basswood and elm timber near 
Pentwater was of a very superior grade for the manufacture of fur- 
niture, wagons, etc., and we begin to enter again upon the third pe- 
riod of healthy growth. A Chicago capitalist, Mr. Charles Mears, 
organized the Middlesex Brick & Tile Co., which having laid out 
some seventy-five thousand dollars in making ready to develoj) the 
clay plant, is now manufacturing and sending to Chicago on its 
own scows and barges the finest common brick made, and employs 
some 80 hands. The Pentwater Furniture Co., and the Pentwater 
Bedstead Co., employing as many more, sprang into existence, fol- 
lowed by the Halstead Wagon Works, the Pentwater Novelty and 
Iron Works, and the Oceana Co. Canning & Evaporating Co. Dur- 
ing this time improvements of all kinds have been taking place in 
every part of the village. New and fine residences erected, small 
manufacturing or trading enterprises developed into large pros])er- 
ous institutions, and on the main street large brick blocks, and at 
the present time indications for a remarkable growth are good. 
The village has a steam fire engine and a good system of water 
works, a paid fire department, maintains a night watch, has one of 
the best union schools in the North, and the following church or- 
ganizations: Methodist, Congregational, Baptist, Episcopal and 
Catholic, all of which worship in edifices of their own. The village 



AND BUSINESS MEN OF TO-DAY, 



125 



is beautifully located ui)on and half surrounded by Pent water 
Lake, and within eighty rods of Lake Michigan, but separated from 
it by high hills covered with evergreens the year 'round, making it 
one of the most romantic and picturesc^ue villages on the shore. 
It, aside from being a popular resort in summer for tourists, inva- 
lids and sportsmen, is the natural shij)ping outlet for the county, 
and through it a large proportion of the county's wonderful fruit 
products have to pass to reach the outside world. 

It is the health of the place, however, that makes it especially de- 
sirable as a place of residence. During the prevalence of di]phtheria, 
scarlet fever, typhoid fever and kindred diseases that have been so 
fatal in other portions of the State, Pentwater has been almost 
entirely exempt. There have been developed but two cases of ty- 
phoid fever here in several years, and in each instance the disease 
was contracted elsewhere and the patient brought here and cured. 

In the winter season fishing upon the ice is a favorite pastime, 
and in the summer cisco, herring, perch, bass and pickerel are 
caught by the basketful. 



The Pentwatek News. — On i)age 40 ajipears an account of 
establishment of the first 
newspaper of the county, the 
Oceana Times. It was pub- 
lished at ^liddlesex, now a 
part of Pentwater. The 
founder was Mr. F. W. Rat- 
zel, whose portrait, through 
the courtesy of his brother- 
in-laws Mr. E. B. Flagg, we 
are enabled to present to 
our readers. On page 73 
appears additional history 
of the paper and the sale by 
Mr. Ratzel. Mr. Ratzel, af- 
ter disijosing of his interest 
in the paper, engaged in mer- 
cantile pursuits, and in '79 
removed to Manistee, where 
in the latter part of Janua- 
ry, 1885, he died. 

Mr. Hartwick, the jjres- 
ent proprietor, in 1885 jDur- 



the 




F. w. ratzel, 



chased the brick block which is herewith represented, and mo 
the j)lant into it. 



ved 



126 



OCEANA COUNTY PIONEERS 




PENTWATER NEWS BLOCK. 

It occupies the whole of the first floor and basemeut. In June, 
1887, there was put in an Olds gasoline steam engine, and the job 
press was run by steam. In January, 1888, a Proutj- pov.-er press 
was added and at the present time the paper has a circulation of 
1200, a good advertising and job patronage. 



Water Works. — -In May, 1SS8, the following named persons con- 
stituted the Common Council of the village of Pentwater, viz.: Pres- 
ident, L. M. Hartwick; Recorder, Chas. M. Underbill; Treasurer, 
Chas. R. Whittington; Trustees, D. C. Wickham, Wm. Kuhn, Thos. 
Collister, Mark A. Rice, Alvin Warner and James E. Grover. At 
the second meeting of the new Council the President recommended 
taking steps looking towards the putting in a system of water 
works. A committee was apjDointed, consisting of the President, 
D. C. Wickham and T. Collister, who after making inquiries and 
formulating a system, made a report which with some variations 
was afterwards adopted. The question upon a iDroj)osition to 
bond the village was submitted to a vote of the people and carried, 
only fourteen votes appearing against it. The contract was let to 
M. Walker, of Fenton, for putting in pumps, capacity 1,500,000 
gallons, and about two miles of cast-iron mains, as follows: From 
pump house to Hancock street, eight inch main: from Third to Sev- 
nth on Hancock, six inch main; from Seventh to Ninth on Han- 
cock, and from Third to Second, four inch; from Hancock to Rush 
on Seventh, from Second to Eighth on Wj^the, from Hancock to 
Rutledge on Third, from Fifth to First on Rutledge, and from x^ump 
house to Bedstead Co.'s works, four inch. Crosses were put in at 



AKD BUSINESS MEN OF TO-DAY. 



127 



every street crossing and gates at intervals along the line of mains, 
16 Ludlow hydrants were placed. A contract was made with E. J. 
Birkett, proprietor of the foundry, to furnish the power and run 
same for five years. The system was completed and the test made 
Jan. 11, 1888. Prior to the completion of the contract a vacancy 
was created on the Council by the removal of Wm. Kuhn, and at a 
special election Geo. W. Imus was elected to fill the vacancy. 
Messrs. Rice and Birkett j)erfected and put in an electrical fire 
alarm, and by the time election occurred again the system, barring 
some minor details, was completed. The cost for mains, crosses, 
gates, hydrants, etc., was $7,843.76. The total cost about ten 
thousand dollars. 




RESIDENCE OP W". E. AMBLER, PEXTWATER. 

Middlesex Brick & Tile Co.— For many years the Hon. Chas. 
Mears advocated the advantages and feasibility of manufacturing 
clay products at Pentwater, insisting that the clay banks on the 
north shore of Pentwater Lake, at the east limit of the village, was 
unrivalled in its quality and location for easy shipment, and at 
last he succeeded in interesting gentlemen from Chicago sufficient- 
ly to make a tour of inspection, which has resulted in confirming 
all that Mr. Mears has ever claimed, and in fact, exceeding his ex- 



128 



OCEANA COUNTY PIONEERS 




pectations, and to his persistent energy and abiding faith in the 

scheme is due the fact that in July, 1883, the Middlesex Brick & Tile 

Company was incorporated, 
with a capital of sixty thou- 
sand dollars. Charles Mears, 
Harvey Cockell, of Chicago; 
W. E. Ambler, Fred Niel- 
sen and F. O. Gardner, of 
Pentwater, Directors. Under 
Mr. Cockell's supervision 
docks were built, buildings 
erected, machinery purchas- 
ed and put in, a tug built, 
and the same year some brick 
wei*e manufactured. It was 
the plan of Mr. Cockell to dry 
the brick under cover by ar- 
ficial heat, so that the clay 
could be kept moving from 
the time it left the banks un- 
til it reached the last kiln 
where the brick were burned. 
M. D. GiKARD, RECORDER, '89. There were some defects in 

the system of curing and the product was not of as good quality as 

expected but as the institution 

was passing through its ex- 
perimental stage the courage 

of the investors did not fail 

them, but greater and more 

extensive preparations than 

ever were made for work the 

next season. April 9, 1884, 

however, the works took fire 

and all the buildings and 

some of the machinery were 

destroyed. This was an un- 
fortunate blow and resulted 

afterwards in Mr. Cockell 

selling his stock and retiring 

from the management. The 

Board was reorganized with 

Mr. Mears in control. Henry 

Hurley was made manager 

and the works again^started 




E. B. CLARK, ASSESSOR, '89. 



AND BUSINESS MEX OF TO-DAY. 



129 



up. The brick were cured by the weather under cover and 
then transferred to the kilns and burned. The product now was a 
very fine quality of common brick that found ready sale. The 
Company employed from eighty to one hundred hands during the 
summer season. In 1889 Mr. Hurley died and his successor has 
not yet been selected. 




RESIDENCE OF W. B. O. SANDS, PENTWATER. 



Parks. — Several times in years jjast knots ot our citizens have 
casually discussed the x>i'03ect of making some improvements at 
Bass Lake, agreeing that with a small outlay a x^leasant drive of 
about three and a half miles from the village could be had, nice pic- 
nic grounds in the shady woods, and boating, bathing and fishing 
in the lake, yet some way nothing had been done for want of a 
"starter." In July, 1886, three of our villagers talked the matter 
over, and it resulted in procuring a team, and Mr. Perkins, Dr. 
Cleveland and Mr. Ambler paid a visit to the lake and after looking 
over the ground decided to test the feeling of the good folks and see 
^Yhat could be accomialished. The land wanted belonged to Hon. 
Chas. Mears, of Chicago. Mr. Mears favored the project and made 
the generous jproposition to convey the land to the Comjiany for 
the nominal sum of seventy-five dollars and take that amount of 
stock in the Companj-. Whereui^on articles of incorporation were 



130 



OCEANA COUNTY PIONEERS 




prepared and in less than a M'eekfrom the time of the first talk and 

without any fuss or furor, 
the Company was organized, 
and six hundred dollars of 
the one thousand stock tak- 
en, outside of Mr. INIears' sub- 
scription of three shares. The 
following named gentlemen 
signed the articles of incorpo- 
ration, viz.: Sands & Maxwell 
Lumber Co., W. E. Ambler, 
E. A. Wright, Fred Nielsen, 
Jacob Fisher, A.J. Underbill, 
H. H. Bunyea, W. L. Tilden, 
Geo. W. Imus, F.O. Gardner, 
Labonta & Mero, L. M. Hart- 
wick, E.Nickerson, Thos. Col- 
lister, M. S. Perkins, M. A. 
G. o. swiTZEB, HEALTH OFFICER '89. Rice, G. H. Cleveland, Wm. 
Moody, Smith Brothers, J. W. Loomis, C. W. Cramer, C. R. Vvhit- 
tington, F. W. Fincher, W. A. Rounds. 

Monday evening following 
ameetin,^ of stockholders was 
held at the Pentwater News 
office and the election of Di- 
rectors resulted as follows: 
W. E. Ambler, Fred Nielsen, 
J. Fisher, H. H. Bunyea, G. 
W. Imus, M. S. Perkins and 
L. M. Hartwick. 

The next day the Directors 
organized by electing, Presi- 
dent, W. E. Ambler; Secreta- 
ry, L. M. Hartwick; Treasu- 
rer, Fred Nielsen. 

The report of the Board of 
Directors at the annual meet- 
ing in 1887 showed $800 re- 
ceived from sale of shares, all 

of which was expended on m. a. rice, trustee. 

the grounds; roads leading from Pentwater to the grounds were re- 
paired and put in fair condition; the grounds cleaned of rubbish 
and underbrushed; a large Greek cross shaped pavilion finished in- 
side and out has been erected, also kitchen and and store room; a 




AND BUSINESS MEN OF TO-DAY. 



131 




boat house and docks for landing; two bath houses; two croquet 

grounds made; swings and rustic benches placed in portions of the 

grounds; a w'ell with pump; 

ten fine row boats placed in 

the boat house; an ice house, 

etc. Afterwards Messrs. Fred 

Nielsen and W. E. Ambler built 

fine cottages on the grounds. 

The park is a very popular 

place for pic-nic gatherings. 
During the summer of 1888 

a proiect for organizing an 

Odd Fellows' Park Associa- 
tion was started in this place. 

Its iDurpose was to purchase 

and tit up grounds where 

menibers of the order with 

families and friends could go 

and enjoy themselves in rest 

and recreation, and where G. v.'. iMUS, trustee. 

Lodges could picnic and summer reunions take place. The grounds 

selected were twentj'-three acres on the east side of what is known 

as the Big Bayou of Pentwater 
Lake, extending .south and tak- 
ing in the point. Nature has 
been very lavish in preparing 
these grounds for park purposes. 
The natural lay of 'the land is 
picturesque, and from its great- 
est elevation a view of the vil- 
lage. Lake Michigan, the little 
lake and many miles of finij land- 
scape is obtained. It is covered 
with shrubbery of oak, pine, 
ground hemlock, and nearer the 
water, cedar. Several lovely 
grottos are located on the 
grounds in which are springs of 
ice-cool, crystal water, xjure and 
tasteless. Its nearness to Lake 
Michigan exempts it from the 



,.;!E^S 




J. M. CAHILE, TRUSTEE. 



mosquito pest during warm weather, while it is far enough remov- 
ed to be protected from severe lake winds by intervening hills. It 
is within a mile and a half of the depot, and a mile of the village. 
The Big Bayou furni.'shes the best of fishing waters and the only 



132 OCEANA COUNTY PIONEERS 

good trolling gi'ounds in the lake. Pentwater Lake, as is well 
known, is remarkable for its high banks and deep water, which fur- 
nishes the secret of the total exemption from malaria. By its pe- 
culiar shap3 it fui'nishes the finest body of water on the shore for 
yachting, rowing and other aquatic sports, and being connected by 
a short channel with Lake Micliigan gives the opportunity of enjoy- 
ing excursions right from tlie grounds into this beautiful body of 
water. Many yachts, row boats and steam craft are owned at Pent- 
water whicli can be secured for use by the Association until it gets 
craft of its own. It was intended to secure at least one hundred 
members with one share each. 

May 10, 1S89, the Park Association was organized by the elec- 
tion of the following Board of Directors: E. T. Mugford, I. C. Ford, 
Wm. Cooper, T. H. Baker, Wm. G. Fisher, L. M. Hartwick, W. H. 
Tuller, Wm. Hudson, C. M. Underbill, G. O. Switzer, C. W. Cramer. 
Some seventy shares were i)ledged. During the year 1889 a large 
pavilion was erected, several acres of ground cleared, several tine 
springs developed, walks built., a dock built, grottos made accessi- 
ble by walks, etc., and a start made, wliich, if continued, will make 
it a very fine park. 

Pentwater HEAiiTH Record.— The death rate among adults 
throughout the civilized world averages about 11 per thousand of 
X)opulation. In the State of Michigan it is about 8. In the county 
of Oceana, 6. In the village of Pentwater during the year 1889 
there were nine deaths among adults, or an average of about five 
per thousand of population. 

The following is a table of deaths from all causes from one year 
old and upwards, occurring in Pentwater since Jan.. 1, 1882, to 
Jan. 1, 18U0: 

'8-2. 'S3. 'S4. 'So. '86. 'ST. '88. '80. 

Coiisiimpuon 2 4 7 2 3 2 3 2 

Old Age 13 2 10 5 2 3 

Heart 1 2 1 1 1 

Diop.sy ; 1 1 i 1 

Fever 1 1 1 

Aeckleiits 2 1 1 u i o 

Kidney Trouble I O 

Scarlet Fever l o o o u 2 

Cliildliirth 1 o o 

Pjii'iiiysis 1 

{inwt-r 10 :i 

Negleet 1 o 

Cholera Morbus U 1 o o 

Softening of Brain o o o i o o 

Uiiihtheria o o o o 

Inilaninuition of Bowels i o 2 

Kupture of Blood Vessel i o o 

Consumption of Blood O o " O 

General Debility o o o o i o 

10 11 12 5 11 12 11 



I 




PENTWATER.— RESIDENCE OF E. G. MAXWELL. 




FAY-RAW-.MK 



Pay-ba\v-me, the noted chief, is de- 
scribed as a man of medium height, 
keen of ej^e, spare and darl<. When 
young he was one of the wildest of his 
tribe, but when about middle age he 
was converted to Christianity. He is 
said to have been a man of ability, 
and could preach a tellingsermon. He 
was for years Town Treasurer of El- 
bridge and kept everything straight, 
but in a ijeculiar Indian fashion by hi- 
eroglyphics and in the Indian tongue. 
He was the head of the Catholi<; bands 
and read on Sundays. He was a mo- 
nogamist and had no issue. His wid- 
ow married Louis Genereau. He died 
in L8T0. a man of about sixty years 
of age. 



AND BUSINESS MEN OF TO-DAY. 133 

The following table shows the mortality by months, covering the 
same period: 

'82. '83. '84. '85. '80. '87. '88. "80. 

Jaiuiiiry 1 2 10 2 2 2 

Febnuuy 2 i -> 2 1 o 

March 12 2 10 

April 2 10 2 3 3 

May 1 12 10 10 

June 1 1 1 1 1 

July 2 10 2 12 

August 2 10 10 

September 3 o 1 l 2 

October 2 o 2 2 

Xoveniber l o 3 

December l i 1 o 

10 11 12 5 G 11 12 11 

From May 17, 1888, to Jan. 1,1890, a x)eriod of twenty months, 
there was just one death between the ages of one and twelve years. 

TOWNSHIP AND VILLAGE OP SHELBY. 

The first meeting of the town, which was at first. Stony Creek, 
was at Wheeler's Mills, on the first Monday in April, 1855; Harvey 
Tower, Chairiran. This being the first election of the township, 
the electors went into caucus, and proceeded to nominate officers, 
after which they adjourned one hour. Thej'then proceeded to poll 
the votes, polls closing at "half-past 3 o'clock." $75 was voted to 
defray town expenses. There were sixteen votes cast, in all, and 
the elections were practically unanimous. 

In 1862 the town of Shelby (called then Benona), was set off by 
itcelf, and there were but eight voters, and all voted for Bird Nor- 
ton as Supervisor. 1863 and 1861 seem to have been years of con- 
fusion, as the officers were always resigning. In the latter year 
there were eleven voters. In April, 1870, a vote was taken to give 
aid, to the amount of $7,195.20, to the G. R. & L. S. R. R., which 
was carried, but owing to some legal flaw never i3aid. The peojjle 
of Shelby built the depot, at a cost of $1,200.— Page's History of 
Oceana County. 

The following is the list of Supervisors, Clerks and Treasurers, to 
the present time: 

Supervisors— Warren Wilder, '55; Wm. Gardner, '56; L. I). Ea- 
ton, '57-8; S. E. Knowles, '59; H. Hoffman, '60-'61; Bird Norton, 
'62; Wm. Weston, '63; Silas C. Powers, '64; Warren Vradenburg, 
'65; Walter H. Churchill, '66-'85; Parley R. Cady, '67-8-9; Andrew 
Maples, '70-1-2; George W. Woodward, '73-4-5-6-7-9-'80-2-4; A. 
H. Bearss, '78; W. H. Barry, '81-3; Jesse Bearss, '87-8-9. 

Clerks.— Malcolm Campbell, '55-6; Henry Hoffman, '57; D. M. 
Merrifield, '58; George Semback, '59; Wm. Weston, '60-1-2; E. W. 



134: OCEANA COUNTY PIONEERS 

Elliott, '63; A. C. Randall, '64; Orrin Deming, '65-6-7-8; W. H. 
Churchill, '69-'70-l-2-3-4-7-'81; H. O. Bickford, '75-6; Alpheus NefE, 
'78-79-80; Manly C. White, '82; F. A. Pitts, '83; W. E. Osmun, '84; 
F. W. Newman, '85-6-7; F. M. Myers, '88; T. T. Usborne, '89. 

Treasurers.— James McNutt, '55-6-'60-l-2; John Stearns, '57; 
L. M. Curtis, '58. Wm. Gardner, '59; James A. Hall '63; Alva Bab- 
cock, '64; R. Vradenburg, '65: Calvin S. Reed, '66; O. G. Marvin, 
'67; James S. Runner, '68; A. H. Beai'ss, '69-'72; David Stringham, 
'70-1; Alex Pittenger, '73-4-5-6-7-8; Parley R. Cady '79-'80; A. Z. 
Moore, '81-2; Rufus W. Wheeler, '83; D. H. Rankin, '84; George 
Dewey, '85-6; C. J. Fleming, '87-8-9. 

Village of Shelby. — We have headed this article Village of 
Shelby because that is the name under which was incorporated in 
1882 a thriving village on the C. & W. M. R. R., on Sec. 17 of the 
township of Shelby. There are two village plats, one of which was 
made in 1871 and named Barnett, and another south of this plat- 
ted in 1873 by Martin L. Sweet and Andreas Bevier, and named 
Shelby. The business part of the village and the more populous 
residence part is upon the plat or village of Barnett. If a man 
were to jiurchase a lot in this plat, not knowing the name, he would 
be surprised upon examining his deed to find he had been deeded a 
lot in the village of Barnett. There was something of a joke i3erpe- 
trated when this name was given to the village of Barnett. At the 
time it was platted there was a brakeman by the name of Barnett 
on the railroad who proposed to pay the expenses of platting if the 
proprietors would name it after him. His proposition was accept- 
ed, but when he was called upon for the fees he asked if it had been 
recorded, and being answered in the affirmative laughed and de- 
clared he was merely joking, but was much obliged for the honor 
conferred upon him. Thus the village became Barnett, while the 
postoffice and railway station were named Shelby, and as the lat- 
ter name is the one generally used in referring to the village and the 
one under which it was incorporated, many being ignorant of the 
fact that any other name exists, we have used it at the head of this 
brief sketch. 

The first settlement that had any appearance of developing into 
a village was made at what is known as "Churchill's Corners." 
Hei'e Mr. W. H. Churchill built a house during the summer of 1864 
on the northwest corner of section sixteen. This was followed by 
a blacksmith shojD built by Alpheus Neff in 1868; a genei-al mer- 
chandise store built by Jas. Williams in 1869, and a drug store 
built by a Mr. Adams in the spring of 1870. All of these buildings 
were on section sixteen, except the latter, which was across the 
road on section nine. It might be well to mention in passing that 
when Mr. Churchill settled here in Feb., 1864, there were but eleven 



AND BLTSINESS MEN OF TO-DAY. 



135 




.^^ 



■\V. H. SHIRTS, TRUSTEE. 



voters in tlie township. Tliis little village did considerable busi- 
ness. Here the postoffice of 
Shelby was first located with 
Mr. Churchill as Postmaster, 
commencing Dec. 15, 18G6, 
who continued to hold the po- 
sition for nineteen years and 
nine months. Here travelers 
were entertained by Mr. Chur- 
chill, who may be named as 
the first hotel keeper of Shel- 
by. The State road built in 
1865-6 ran j)ast this little 
cluster of buildings, and a 
great many passengers were 
carried over it from Whitehall 
to Hart by that veteran stage 
driver, James Roddy. Horses 
were changed at this place and 
taking all things into consider- 
ation, it was far from a dead town. 
In the fall of 1871 the railroad was surveyed and grading begun, 

and the spot selected for a 
depot being some distance 
from the little settlement, it 
left a space between sufficient- 
ly large with land upon the 
other side of the road bed to 
plat a village, and Samuel A. 
Browne, A. Pittenger, Jas. G. 
Gray and 0. Demmg decided 
to take advantage of the op- 
portunity and ]plattedand re- 
corded the village of Barnett. 
That building might be coni- 
!■ pelled to commence near the 
':; railroad depot and not mere- 
^' ly contmue in that du-ection 
: from the Churchill settlement 
they left the land adjoining 
the settlement in blocks, re- 
fusing to sell single lots. The 
J. WRIGHT, TRUSTEE. scheme was successful and 

building began near the depot. The first store building on the plat 




136 



OCEANA COUNTY PIONEERS 



variety store 



was built by Mr. E. J. Shirts in the winter of 1871-2, on lot 1 of 
block 18. In the spring of 1872 Messrs. Churchill & NefE built a 
hardware store on lot 20, block 14. Since then building has gone 
steadily forward and today we find a flourishing village filled with 
fine edifices and progressive business men. The following from a 
copy of the Pentwater News published in 1873, shows the condi- 
tion of Shelby at that time: 

"The village of Barnett in Shelby township, started last year, 
seems to be building, just now, quite rapidly. W. H. Churchill, the 
Postmaster of Shelby has removed the office to Barnett station — 
where it presents a very neat and imposing appearance — and, in 
company with Mr. Neff, Mr. Churchill is keeping a hardware and 
E. J. Shirts, lately of Lansing, is keeping a 
small dry goods store, and is 
now arranging to build quite 
a capacious one. Mr. Wil- 
liam Branch, in company 
with another gentleman, has 
just opened a boot and shoe 
store, and all seem to be in 
prospect of doing a good bu- 
siness. Dr. C. F. Sweet is 
building a new drug store, 
and G. W. Woodward, Esq., 
the newly elected Supervisor, 
is about erecting a grain ware- 
house for the purpose of buy- 
ing and storing farmers' pro- 
duce. This will be quite an 
important feature of the 
town, as the opening of a 
cash market for produce is a 
very great help to any village. 
E. H. CUTLER, TRUSTEE. Messrs. Malcolm & Williams 

have a very fiwe mill in operation here, and thousands of dollars 
have been paid by different jDarties for logs, this winter, to be sawed 
up into lumber by this mill. Messrs. Williams & Son are about 
putting up a new store, and will, as soon as it is finished, remove 
their stock of goods into it from their present location at Shelby 
Corners. Stumps are very thick in the village of Barnett, but time 
and labor will soon efface them, and Bcxrnett maj^ ere long be a 
very pleasant village." 

From this time the village continued to grow. We have shown 
on pages SO and 81 of this book how the pigeons came at an op- 




AND BUSINESS MEN OF TO-DAY, 



137 




G. W. WOODWARD, ASSESSOR, '89. 



portune moment to help out their dull times, and today Shelby is 
one of the most thriving villages in the county. Hart owes much 
of its imiDortance to the coun- 
ty seat; Pentwater to its 
lake outlet, but Shelby owes 
all to the energy and public 
spirit of her business men. 
Today we find within her lim- 
its two beautiful places of 
worship, Methodist and Con- 
gregational, and one of the 
finest school edifices in the 
county. There are well es- 
tablished Lodges ot Masons 
and Odd Fellows; a Rebekah 
Lodge; G. A. R. Post; Camjj 
of Sons of Veterans; Wo- 
man's Relief Corps, and Sal- 
vation Army. For fire pro- 
tection it has a well organized 
fire department, a Button steam fire engine made at Waterford, N. 
Y., with good engine house, one thousand feet of hose with one cart 

and other necessary appurte- 
nances. The water in steamer 
is kept warm from the furnace 
in the Opera House block. The 
water supply consists of nine 
large reservoirs and numerous 
small ones located in different 
parts of the village. The vil- 
lage is in a healthy locality 
where the best of water is ob- 
tained, is pleasantly situated 
and a desirable place for a 
home; and as a business i^oint 
is surrounded with a beautiful 
farming country fast develop- 
ing, which must continue to 
improve the village as the sur- 
roundings improve. Among 
T. H. BAKER, CLERK, '89. the many fine buildings now in 

the village may be mentioned the new Opera House block, the 
Churchill block, and the residences of W. H. Churchill, D. C. Oakes, 
D. H. Rankin, R. H. Wheeler, Geo. E. Dewey, and many others. 




138 



OCEANA COUNTY PIONEERS 



The village of Shelby was incorporated in 1885 and the first elec- 
tion held May 4th. The Board of Inspectors was composed of G. 
W. Woodward, W. H. Churchill, A. E. Souter and Alex. Paton. 
The first President elected was Geo. B. Getty, who served one year. 
F. W. VanWickle was the next, serving from 1886 to 1887. Geo. 
B. Getty again from 1887 to 1889, and Geo. E. Dewey from 1889 
to the present time. The present Council is composed as follows: 
President, Geo. E. Dewey; Trustees, E. H. Cutler, Wm. Butler, Jep- 
tha Wright, A. Z. Moore, W. H. Shirts and H. L. Andrus; Clerk, 
Thos. H. Baker. Their election occurs on the second Monday of 
March. 

The following is a list of business firms represented in the village: 



A. G. Avery, General Store. 

D. Bejeoii, Harness, &c. 

Mrs. H. O. Biekford, Millinery. 

H. Brotlierton, Wagons and Sleighs. 

E. N. Brown, Blacksmitli. 

Will. Butler, Stave ]Maniifacturer. 

E. G. Cavanagli, Physician. 

Churchill, Oakes & Co., Bank. 

W. H. Churchill, Justice, &c. 

H. C. Crossman, Lumber and Saw Mill. 

M. L. Ferris, General Store. 

C. W. Fisher, Groceries, &c. 

Jas. Forbes, Drayman. 

R. G. Forbes, Livery. 

E. B. Gaylord, Hardware. 

" " Fruit Evaporator. 

G. B. Getty, Lumber Dealer. 
W. L. Griffin, Lumber Dealer. 
Hanover «& Co., Merchant Tailors. 
J. A. Harrison, Blacksmith. 

*' " Wagons and Sleighs. 

J. H. Hetley, Prin. School. 
Mrs. F. O. Howe, Millinery, &c. 
H. Johnston, Boots and Shoes. 
A. E. McKlnnon, Hardware, &c. 
Ben. J. Moore, Boots and Shoes. 
C. C. Moore, Jewelry, &c. 
J. H. Moore, Lumber Dealer. 
J. B. Moore, Boots and Shoes. 
Moore's Hotel, Moore Bros. 
Martha Neff, Dressmaking. 
Mrs. F. W. Newman, Independent 
E. H. Norton, IMcats. 
W. L. Paige, Eestauraiit. 



Paton & Andrus, Saw Mill. 

F. n. Payne, Groceries. 

Peck & Cutler, Handles. 

F. A. Pitts, Groceries and Meats. 

Pitts & Wood, Photos. 

Eankin House, Fred Sandbcry, Prop. 

D. H. Eankin, Charcoal. 

D. Eankin & Co., Drugs. 

Eankin & Dewey, Gen'l Store. 

L. Eatlibone, Barber and Cigars. 

D. A. Kced, Blacksmith. 

H. W. Eeid, Auctioneer. 

C. H. Eose, Cigars, &e. 
H. M. Eoyal, Herald. 

J. W. Eunner, Drugs and Books. 
R. Sabin, Physician. 

D. G. Scroggs, Attorney. 

Shelby Furt. Co., F. A. Scott, Mgr. 
Shelby Roller Mills Co., Flour, &c. 
Shirts Bros., Groceries. 
Smith & Crossman, Millinery. 
A. E. Souter, Justice and Ins. Agt. 
S. Spellman, Blacksmith. 
W. S. Stringham, Drugs, &c. 
C. F. Sweet, Physician. 
J. A. Tillotson, Barber. 

C. H. Tullar, Furt. and Jewelry. 
T. T. Usborue, Harness. 

D. Yanwort, Drayman. 

F. W. A'anWickle, Drugs & Groceries. 
]{. Walton, Blacksmith. 
Wheeler Bros., Gen'l Store. 

F. W. Wilson. Physician. 

G. W. Woodward, Justice. 




SHELBY.— OPERA BUILDING. OPERA HALL IN SECOND STORY. CHURCHILL, OAKES 

it CO., bank; D. H. RANKIN & CO., STORE; W. H. CHURCHILL, JUSTICE 

office; D. E. MCCLURE, school examiner, FIRST 

STORY. building IS HEATED BY 

STEAM. 




SHELBY.— RESIDENCE OF \V. H. CHURCHILL. 



AND BUSINESS MEN OF TO-DAY. 



139 




DAVID RICHARDS. 

The above is the picture of a pecuHar characteiMvho lives in Shel- 
by. His name is David Ricliards, and for many years he has been 
laboring under the delusion that he is the President of the C. & W. 
M. E'y Co. He^has been humored in his delusion by citizens and 
railroad employes. He is on hand when trains arrive, gives orders. 



140 OCEANA COUNTY PIONEERS 

hires and discharges men as though he was an actual official. The 
medals upon his coat and vest have been presented to him by R. 
E. employes and he wears them with j)ride. He claims the bank 
and moneyed men about town are holding back $1,000,000 of sal- 
ary accumulated in his 15 years' as railroad president. He also 
tells how long it took him to build the Niagara bridge, and that he 
built it as high as the river was wide, and then pushed it down, the 
opposite end landing on the pier exactly as he had planned. He 
decorates himself with all imaginable badges and insignia of office, 
and usually walks through the train at Shelby, asking for sugges- 
tions from the passengers how to improve his road. Everybody 
who travels on this line knows "Davey." 

HART TOWNSHIP AND VILLAGE. 

In the spring of 1856 Nelson Glover settled on the farm on which 
he still resides, and the same spring there also settled a man with 
his family just across the river from him, named William Dunham, 
and east of Glover on the same side of the river, was Jacob 
Schrumpf, another Scotchman named McAllister, and also Joseph 
Booth, and a Mr. Green. In the same spring Dr. Ira Jenks came 
from Kent, in company with two other men, wending his way via 
Ci'oton, on the Muskegon, across the Marengo Plains, through the 
wilderness, with a pocket compass, to the lake shore below Pent- 
water, and two sawmills and a boarding-house, with one partly 
built, was all there was then of Pentwater. Dr. Jenks came up the 
woods, and called on Mr. Glover. In June he came again, and 
chopped on his place, having had to cut a road four miles into his 
place. His bark shanty had no floor, no door, no windows, and 
the bark had curled so that one could put one's head out of the 
cracks, if one wished. In about three weeks, Geo. W. Light and Ed- 
ward Davis, with their families, settled on what is now VanWick- 
le's place. Judge Eussell, with his two sons, Hiram and George, 
came in for a few weeks, and did some chopping on their place this 
season, but the Judge and his family did not move in until 1859. 
In the spring of 1857 there were ten families, — N. Glover, W. Dun- 
ham, J. Schrumpf, J. McAllister, S. Rollins, James Brooker, Ira 
Jenks, V. Satterlee, G. W. Light, E. Davis, H. H. Fuller. 

W. H. Leach put up the first frame dwelling in the village, and 
was the first postmaster, succeeded by the present Circuit Judge 
Russell. Robert McAllister was the first stage, as he carried the 
mail on his back from Pentwater to White River. If he had pas- 
sengers, it is not known how he carried them, as even "the boot" 
of the stage was full. After this, the mail was carried by one man 
and three horses. The man rode one horse and the two remaining 



AND BUSINESS MEN OF TO-DAY. 141 

horses brought up the rear. Until 1876 the peojple of Hart got 
their mail at Pentwater. In 1869 Collins & Roddy carried the 
mail. The Methodist Episcopal Elder A. A. Darling was the first 
preacher. In 1869 Elders Crane and Pratt preached in Huff's Hall 
and a church was commenced that year. H. Brooks and Miss Et- 
tie VanWickle were the first teachers in the new union school. B. 
Moore erected and kept the first hotel. Nelson Green was the first 
Judge of Probate, followed by Josiah Russell, Charles Camp, and 
Amos Crosby, etc. Nelson Green was the first County Surveyor, 
succeeded by Josiah Russell, and then H. C. Hawley. Tyler Gar- 
mer was the first jailer, succeeded by O. P. Fortner. J. Palmiter 
published the first news^Daper. In 1869, 36,036 pounds of maple 
sugar were made in this town. The first Episcopal service in Hart 
was in 1869, by the Rev. Dr. Pitkin. 

G. Rollins, Daniel Wentworth and Mr. Spoor, who were among 
the earliest settlers of Hart, were three ship carpenters, who came 
to build a vessel for C. Mears, at Pentwater, and Rollins came in 
first and picked out land for himself and the others. It was his 
house that the first town meeting of Elbridge was held in, that 
town then including four towns. Rollins and S^^oor are dead, and 
Mr. Wentworth is in Maine, visiting the scenes of his boyhood. — 
Page's History of Oceana County. 

Supervisors. — Josiah Russell, '61-2; Robert F. Andrews, '63-5; 
David L. Garver, '64; Abijah W. Peck, '66; Theron S. Gurney, '67; 
Ahaz A. Darling, '68-9-'70; William J. Sprigg, '71-2; David John- 
son, '73-1; Enoch T. Mugford, '75-6-7-8-9-' 80-1-2-3-1-5-6-7-8-9. 

Clerks.— Abijah W. Peck, '61-2: Leonard E. Clark, '63; Peleg A. 
Hubbard, '61; William H. Cheney, '65; William H. Leach, '66; Wil- 
liam A. Peck, '67; John M. Rice, '68; Theron S. Gurney, '69-'70-l; 
Charles W. Slayton, '72; Marcus H. Brooks, '73-4-5-6-7-8; James 
H. Slater, '79-'80-2-3-4; C. A. Gurney, '81; W. P. Sackrider, '85-6; 
F. H. Edwards, '87-8-9. 

Treasurers.— Charles W.Wilson, '61; Daniel M. Wentworth, '62- 
4-5; Nehimiah Miller, '63; George B. Rollins, '66-'82; David Ben- 
ham, '67; Frederick G. Reading, '68-9; John Westbrook, '70-1-2-5; 
Josephus S. Peach, '73-4; Peleg A. Hubbard, '76: Mills H. Bosworth, 
'77-8; William D. Markham, '79; Isaac D. Reed, '80; G. L. Crumb, 
'83-4; W. Stitt, '85-8-9; J. A. Collier, '86-7. 

Village of Hart.— The village of Hart is located hi the midst 
of the finest farming lands of the county. It is the product and 
active evidence of the development of Oceana's farming and fruit 
interests. Cotemporaneous with the clearing up of farming lands, 
the raising of wheat, potatoes and fruit for which the county is no- 
ted, came into existence and grew the i^leasant and attractive vil- 



142 



OCEANA COUNTY PIONEERS 




lage of Hart. The village is situated on high ground sufficiently un- 
dulating to give it a pleas- 
ing appearance. The South 
Branch of Pentwater River 
runs thro' it on the north, 
while east and west several 
small brooks of clear, crys- 
tal water, which have their 
origin in springs, run thro' 
the village and empty into 
the river. These streams 
abound with speckled trout, 
salmon and grayling, and 
during trout season the vil- 
lagers enjoy the rare sport 
of trout catching without 
the usual discomforts at- 
tending such sport. It has 
also become noted through- 
out the State, and sports- 
men come evei-y season, fill- 
ing the hotels while the sea- 
H. .J. CHADWiCK, PRESIDENT, 1889. son lasts. Although a large 

commodious hotel is here, they are frequently compelled to lodge 

regular guests in private 

families to accommodate 

visiting sportsmen. 
It is the county seat, the 

location of the county 

fair, has the largest flour- 
ing mill in the county, one 

which cost some $60,000 

to build, two banks, three 

newspapers, one fruit 

evaporator, and a num- 
ber of business houses, all 

of which apparently are 

doing a good business. It 

has a village government, 

having been incoi'porated 

under the laws of the State 

in 1885, and enjoys the 

advantages of a fine sys- w. e. thorp, trustee. 

tern of Avater works. Its main street has been graded and paved. 





BOARD OF SUPERVISORS,— 1889. 




HART. — RESIDENCE OF JAS. K. FLOOD. 



AND BUSINESS MEN OF TO-DAY. 



143 




Its business buildings have mostly been built or rebuilt within a 
a period of twelve years, and 
are neat in appearance. 

Many fine residences have 
been built here in the past 
twelve years that are models 
of architectural beauty. Few 
places present the home fea- 
ture as well as Hart. The 
majority of its business men 
have grown with the county, 
and made their accumula- 
tions here. The spirit of en- 
terprise is apparent in all its 
public improvements. Its 
l^eople are generous, courte- 
ous, hospitable and intelli- 
gent. For several years it 
has successfully maintained a 
literarj' society and Chatau- 

quareadingcircle. The farms j. a. collier, marshal, '89. 

surrounding the village are well imi^roved and are classed among 

the best in the county. The 
village is in the center of Oce- 
ana's best fruit lands, and al- 
so near her celebrated trout 
streams that attract outside 
sportsmen. It has the finest 
hotel in the county, a large 
brick block finely finished and 
elegantly furnished, under the 
management of a jjopular 
and genial landlord. Itsprin- 
ciiDal looints of vantage are 
its water power, its fruit lands 
and its trout streams. Its 
pure water and healthy cli- 
mate make it a desirable 
place of residence. 




E. T. MUGFORD, Assessor, '89. 

Fire Department— The Hart Fire Department is in a prosper- 
ous condition. It was first organized as a Hook and Ladder Com- 



144 OCEANA COUNTY PIONEERS 

pany, and afterwards as a regular Fire Department. The organi- 
zation was perfected Aug. 4, 1886, with John F. Widoe as Chief. 
The Department consists of 20 members, besides the Chief. Wm.N. 
Sayles is the present Chief. The Chief is appointed by the Council. 

Water Works. — Hart has the Walker system of water works, 
put in at a cost of $4,500. The main is about one-third of a mile 
in length, with seven hydrants. Can throw four streams eighty 
feet high at one time. Accepted by the Council Oct. 18, 1886. 

Hart Improvement Company (Wigton House Block). — The orig- 
inal stockholders were: 

Warren M. Wigton, J. K. Flood, F. J. Kussell, 

Geo. Rhodes, E. B. Gaylord, D. J. Mathews, 

M. A. Lnther, Wm. J. Sprigg, a. K. Chappell, 

David Jolnison, L. P. Hyde, H. P. Parsons, 

A. S. Wliite, Trustee ; E. P. Wigton, T. S. Gurney, 

Isaac Ford, J. F. Widoe, Helen A. Gurney, 

Orson Kelley, C. W. Slayton, E. S. Houghtaling, 

Lydia L. Richmond, J. D. S. Hanson, E. D. Kiclimond. 

A. S. White. 
The capital stock was $10,000. There were nine Directors, the 
first Board consisting of the following named gentlemen: 

T. S. Gurney, Warren M. Wigton, E. B. Gaylord, 

F. J. Russell, David Johnson, D. J. Mathews, 

A. S. White, J. F. Widoe, J. K. Flood. 

Wm. H. Bailey leased the hotel for five years. 

Atticonian Society. The Atticonian Literary and Debating So- 
ciety was organized in May, 1881, with the following officers: 

President, George Alverson. Secretary, H. J. Chadwick. 

Vice President, Chas. A. Gurney. Treasurer, Chas. R. Johnson. 

Prophet, Geo. A. Mclntyre. 

Reorganized Sept. 27, 1888, with the following officers: 

President, John O. Ricliniond. Secretary, Robert R. Gale. 

Vice President, J. D. S. Hanson. Treasurer, J. F. VanValkenburg. 

Present officers: 

President, George Alverson. Secretary, Harry Thorpe. 

Vice President, C. W. Slayton. Treasurer, J. D. S. Hanson. 

Present membership, 20. This Society is in a flourishing condi- 
tion and has had considerable influence in its way since its organi- 
zation. Has secured many excellent lecturers here. 

Hart Union School. — The following are the names of teachers 

and number of pupils in each department of the Hart Union School: 

Principal, F. E. Young; Assistant, Miss LaVange Brooks; No. pupils, 84. 
Intermediate, Miss Emma McRae; Assistant, Miss Docia Griswold; No. pupils, 81. 
Primary, Miss Maggie Palmiter; No. i)upils, G4. 
Total enrolled, 229. 




HART. — RESIDENCE OE HON. T. S. GURNEY. 




HART.— WIDOE BASE BALL CLUB. 



AXD BUSINESS MEN Oh" TO-DAY. 



145 



Chatauqua Circle. Hart has a Chataiiqua Circle, which was or- 
ganized in October, 1885, with a membership of seven, and tlie fol- 
lowing officei'S: 

rresitleiil, Mrs. A. A. Duiitoii. Secretiiry, Miss CaiiiL' Wiutoii. 

Tieasiuer, Miss Laura Jiutler." 

At present there are nine members, with the following officers: 

President, Mrs. J. V. Caliill. 
Critic, Mrs. Nell Kussell. 

List of graduates: 



Seeretary, Mrs. J. K. Klood. 
Treasurer, Jlrs. H. J. Holmes. 



Mrs. A. A. Duiiton, 
Mrs. .1. K. Flood. 
:Mrs. (,'lias. A. Guriiey, 



Mrs. C. K. Croft, 
Mrs. J. V. Cahill, 
]\Iiss Emma R. Thorp, 



Mrs. Nell Kussell, 
George Alversou, 
Mrs. 11. .1. Holmes. 



Business Houses. — The following is a list of the business houses 
of Hart: 
Wm. D. Aekerson, Photographer. 
Am. Express Co., T. J. Main, Agt. 
Argus. E. S. Palmiter, Prop. 
Lemuel Atwood, Physician. 
Geo. K. Bates, Hardware. 



Charles Bergman, Painter and Paper 
Hanger. 

John A. Billings, I\Ieat Market. 

W. W. Bosworth,Saw & Shingle Mill. 

James Brassington, Attorney. 

M. H. Brooks, Attorney, C. C. Com'r. 

F. Bunnell, Agt. C. & W. M. P. R. 

J. E. Butler. Dep. Keg. Deeds and Ah- 
stract Wfflce. 

Cady & Gurney, Druggists. 

H. J. Chadwiek, Physician, Drugs. 

Marvin Chandler, Drayman. 

Citizens' Exchange Bank. 

James A. Collier, Postmaster. 

Mrs, M. N. Collins, Dressmaker. 

Geo. Cooper, Car. & Wagon Builder. 

Wm. Cooper, Carpenter, Sherift'. 

F. L. Corbin, Livery. 

Harry Cornell, Dentist. 

Mrs. W. T. Covell, Millinery. 

Robert Currie,Carpeiiter and Shi|) Tim- 
ber Jobber. 

A. A. Dunton, Jr., Physician. 

Frank H. Edwards, Painter. 

Daniel Field, 151acksmlth. 

James K. Flood. Lumber. 

Griswold & Cahill, Hardware. 

Tlieron S. Gurney, Attorney. 

J. D. S. Hanson, Pros. Attorney. 

Hart Journal, S. Edsou Prop. 

Hart Leather Leg. Co.,E. I). Kichniond 
Manager. 

Hart Mnfg. Co., Lumber. 

Henry H. Hatch, Physician. 

Nelson Henion, Painter. 

Henry J. Holmes, Cari>euter. 

E. S. Houglitaling, (Jrocer. 

John Knickerbocker, Drayman. 



Mrs. O. W. Knox, Music Teacher. 

Otis W. Knox, Dry Goods. 

A. Larnard, Blacksmith. 

H. Marshall, Re-staurant and Bakery. 

Mathews & Chappell, Lumber Dealers. 

Charles Meaux, Barber. 

C. C. Messenger, Drug Slore. 

Frank A. Morton, Fruit Evaporator. 

A. E. jMotley, General Store. 

Mugford & Servis, Pump M'fg'rs. 

Oceana Co. Tribune, J. Brassington 

Manager. 
Mrs. H. P. Parsons, Dressmaker. 
H. 1'. Parsons, Jeweler. 
Mrs E. P. Pearl, Dressmaker. 
Mrs. Nellie Pepplc, Restaurant. 
Mrs. J. O. Richmond, Dressmaker. 
J. O. Richmond, Jeweler. 
Kidell & Collins, Ca- penters. 
Rhodes & Leonard, (ieneral Store. 

(P. ot I. Store.) 
F. J. Russell, Attorney. 
Ryerson & Dempsy, Meat Market. 
Mrs. Nina Sackrider, Millinery. 
W. P. Sackrider, Attorney, Co. Clerk. 
S. A. Shufelt. Saloon. 
Cyrenus Slaglit, Gen'l Mercliandise. 
Jas. U. Slater, Harnessmaker. 
Jas. H. Slater, Shoemaker. 
A. Smith, Saloon. 
Mrs. C. B. Stevens, Dressmaker. 

C. B. Stevens, Attorney. 
Stitt & Sanford, (irocers. 
Wm. E. Thorp, General Store. 
INIiss Anna Waller, Drt'ssmaker. 
Waller & Son, Blacksmiths. 

D. C. Wickham, Register of Deeds. 
Wm., Wideman, Slioemaker. 
John F. Widoe, Clothing. 
Wii^'ton House, W. 11. Bailev, Prop. 
Wigton v*t Boswortb, Flour Mills. 
Williams Bros., l$arbers. 

(U'orge Wyckoft", Co. Treasurer. 



146 



OCEANA COUNTY PIONEERS 



The following named gentlemen have been President of Hart vil- 
lage: W. M. Wigton, '85; Theron S. Gurney, '86; Daniel Landon, 
'87; John F. Widoe, '88; H. J. Chadwick, '89. The present Coun- 
cil is composed as follows: President, John F. Widoe; Trustees, 
Wm. E. Thorp, H. H. Gilliland, Chas. E. Leonard, Jas. H. Slater, 
John Westbrook, Geo. Dennison; Clerk, F. H. Edwards. 



TOWNSHIP OP CLAYBANKS. 

Claybanks was the first townsliip in the county to be settled and 
the history of the county for many years is the history of the town- 
ship. Wlien the county was organized it was one of the three big 
townships, and included the territory of Claybanks, Grant, Otto 
and Greenwood. The territory included within its i^resent limits 
embraces some of the oldest and best farms in the county. In its 
early history the ]n-ospects were good for a large and prosperous 
village being located within its limits, but events so shaped them- 
selves as to cause the villages ot the county to be located elsewhere. 
It has four school buildings and two fine church edifices. The Ro- 
man Catholic an<l Scandinavian churches are described at length on 
pages 48 and L16. The first Postoffice in the township was locat- 
ed at Whisky Creek and called Claybanks. Flower Creek Postoffice 
is also kept on Sec. 27. 
The following is the list of Supervisors, Clerks and Treasurers: 

Supervisors: — A. S. Anderson, 
'55- 6- 7- 8- '64- 5- 6- 7- 8-9'70-l-5 
Nelson Green, ' 59-'60; Jason Car- 
penter, '61-2; 0. K. White, '63 
Harvey Tower, '72-3; M. Baker 
'74-6-7-8-9-'80; Joel D. Linsday 
'81-2-4-5; Geo. C. Myers, '83-6-7- 
8-9. 
Clerks . — Timothy Brigham, 
•\ '55-6; James Cody, '57; Jeremi- 
■^ miah Collins, '58-'61; Jason Car- 
-f penter, '59-'64-5; A. A. Lillie, 
'60-6; Malcolm Campbell, '63; 
S.G.Huston, '67-8-9-'70-4; Mar- 
tin Baker, '71-2; Horace H. 
Keyes, '73; Hugo Deyman, '75- 
^y' -^-^-yi^- 6-7-8-9-'80-4-5-6-7-8-9; 0. E. 

* ''fc^iaC Huston, '81-2-3. 

GEO. c. MYERS, SUPERVISOR, '89. Treasurers.— Thomas Phillips, 
'55; C. A. Rosevplt, '56; Owen Farrell, '57; Barton Haggerty, '58-9; 
E. B. Burrington, '60; O. C. Perry, '61-2-3-4-5-6; M. B. Lillie, '67- 




AND BUSINESS MEN OF TO-DAY. 



147 



8-9-'70-l; O. E. Huston, '72; A. S. AMderson, '78-4-6; Andrew Bra- 
dy, '75-7-8; Joel D. Linsday, '79-"80; Seneca Fuller, '81-2-5-6; J. G. 
Farrell, '83-84; I. Haggerty, '87-8-9. 



TOWNSHIP OF WE ARE. 

April 2, 1860, the township of Weare was organized. The act of 
organization took place at the house of Charles Mears on what is 
known as the River House farm. The township is composed of 36 
full sections of land which in an early day was considered princi- 
pally valuable for its timber. It has all the varieties of soil men- 
tioned in Chapter I, and more recent improvements have demon- 
strated the fact that its soil is adapted to the succes.sful raising of 
all farm products grown in Michigan. Fruit can be raised success- 
fully on fully one-third of the lands of tlie township. At the present 
time the cultivation of fruit is occupying the attention of manj', al- 
though heretofore it has not engaged the attention of the farmers 
as generally as in the townships of Shelby and Hart. Some of the 
finest farms and most successful farmers of the county are in this 
township. We herewith jjresent our readers with a view of a repre- 
sentative farm in South \\'eare: 




Residence of Joseph Schaner, Sec. 29. 

The township was named after Dr. Daniel G. Weare, who settled 
on Sec. 27 in 1855. There are no villages in the township but there 
are five fine school buildings, two of which are built of brick and 



148 



OCEANA COUNTY PIONEERS 



Avell furnished with modern school furniture. There are three fine 
church buildings, M. E , Baptist, and Catholic. 

The following is the list of Su- 
pervisors, Clerks and Treasur- 
ers: 

Supervisors. — Myrtle B. High, 
'60-2-'70; Norman C. Smith, '61- 
5-6-7-8-'73-4-5-6- 7- 8- 9- '80- 1-2; 
A. J. Benson, '63; A. J. Smith, 
'64; E. P. Gregory, '69; George 
Tiffany, '71; Samuel Graham, 
'72; P. Cramer, '83; R. C. Rob- 
erts, '84; E. M. Roberts, '85; A. 
L. Carr, '86-7-8-9. 

Clerks.— A. D. Boomer, '60; F. 
VonHolmrich, '61; Jas. Dexter, 
'62; James R. Mooney, '63-4; D. 
R. Gifford, '65-6-7; John Glad- 
ing, '68; D. Fulton, '69-'70-l-2- 
4-5-6; James Walker, '73; R. C. 
Roberts, '77; E. M. Roberts, '78- 
9-'80-l; S. Andrus, '82-3-4; P. 
Rasmusson, '85-6-7-8-9. 

Treasurers.— F. J. Hartman, '61; Hiram Blowers, '60-3; W. Jen- 
nings, '64-8-'70-l-2-3-4-5-6-7; E. B. Burrington, '65; Jas. Walker, 
'66; N. Snyder, '67; S. R. Wilson, '69; Jos. Schaner, '78-9; H. Le- 
fevre, '80-1-3-4-7-8; C. M. Jensen, '82; G. B. Dikeman, '85-6-9. 




A. L. CARR, SUPERVISOR, '89. 



TOWNSHIP OF BENONA. 

Intimately associated with the histoi'y of this township is the 
honored name of Ferry. The first saw mill erected in the county 
was built in the year 1849 by the Rev. Wm. M. Ferry and his son 
the Hon. T. W. Ferry. It was built at the mouth of Stony Creek 
and was run by water power. Benona village was here started biat 
aside from a Post office, a store, and a few other buildings, there is 
no indication of a village. It is a very picturesque and healthy lo- 
cality, and the lake and streams entermg it furnish excellent fish- 
ing. It is a popular locality with visiting sportsmen. 

The name Benona was selected and given to the Stony Creek 
Postoffice by A. R. Wheeler. It is a very pretty name and was 
probably the name of some locality of another State familiar to 
Mr. Wheeler. • If it is a corruption of the word "Benoni," signifying 
"child of grief," it is hardly appropriate for the territory it marks. 
Although the township was originally Stony Creek and embraced 



AND BUSINESS MEN OF TO-DAY. 



149 



Shelby, Newfield and Benona of today, and although it has been 
used to make three other towns, and also suffered the loss of its 
name, Shelby having for a time been called Benona, still as regards 
its beautiful farms, intelligent citizens and great frnit interests, its 
schools and churches, it is to be congratulated and ought not to 
have its name interpreted to signify grief. This township, like Clay- 
banks, is the home of many of the earnest pioneers of the county 
and was the scene of their earliest labors. Some have passed away 
but many still remain in the enjoyment of the beautiful country 
their labors have developed. 

The following is the list of Supervisors, Clerks and Treasurers: 

Supervisors. — H. Hoffman, 
'62-3-7- '70-1-2-3-4-5-6; A. 
R. Wheeler, '64-5-6-8-9; Jos. 
H. Sammons, '77-8-9; Chas. 
A. Sessions, '80-1-2-3-4-5; W. 
H.Fleming, '86-7-8-9. 

Clerks.— Wm. F. R. Smith, 
'62-3-4; Alonzo Hyde, '65-6; 
G. Powers, '67-8; George E. 
Conklin, '69; Edwin G. Ever- 
deen '70-l-2-3-'80-l-2-8-9; Ja- 
cob Snell, '74-5-6; G. Thiele, 
'77; J. B. Applegate, '78-9; B. ^: 
Thiele, '83-4; C. A. Williams, ^ 
'85; W. H. Anderson, '86; F. '-^ 
Myers, '87. 

Treasurers. — H. Hendrick- 
son, '72-3-4-5 6-7-'75-7-8; H. 

Hoffman, '68-9; A. R. Wheel- w. h. Fleming, super\ 
er, '70-1-2-3-4-6; David Graham, '79; James Gibbs, '80- 
OUnder, '81-2-6-7; J. B. Thompson, '83-4; W. H. Flem 




ISOR, 
8-9; \V 
ing, '8 



89. 
illiam 



TOWNSHIP OF GOLDEN. 



We have before described the organization of this town, but the 
history of the manner in which it came to be organized and named 
has never been correctly given. One of the earliest settlers of this 
township was William J. Haughey, Avho thus describes the settle- 
ment and organization of the town: 

"Well, as pine gave out, some of the settlers moved north to El- 
bridge, now Golden. At that time Mr. Henry Hartman and myself 



150 OCEAXA COUNTY PIONEERS 

wanted more pine land, and it so happened we both got the same 
man to help us look it up, Tom Bearss, now living in Barry Coun- 
ty. Well, by some means Henry got the idea that I was after his 
land, then you should see fun, Hartman following me. Finally we 
compared notes and found we were after different descriptions; we 
then shook hands, took our lager and were sworn friends. We two 
were now going into a new township to open it up to settlement. 
Mr. J. Barnhart moved to Round Lake, Mr. Asa Pringle, William 
Pringle and A. F. Bemis settled near by. Our first election was 
held in a log school house southeast of Hart, going by compass. I 
finally blazed a trail through the woods. 

Well, we wanted to have a town of our own, so friend Barnhart 
and others got up a petition to the honorable Board of Supervis- 
ors to set us off from Elbridge and call the new town— well, the Su- 
l^ervisors could not read the name; our friend, the County Clerk, 
Mr. E. D. Richmond, could not make it out, and as Mr. J. Barn- 
hart wrote it, it was referred to him, but the writing had got cold 
and he could not tell what it was. I ha^jpened to come in about 
this time, when it v>'as proposed to call it the township of Haughey, 
as I was supposed to be the oldest inhabitant. By my request it 
was to be named Golding." 

The name Golding was the maiden name of Mr. Haughey's moth- 
er. By some error the name upon the records appears Golden in- 
stead of Golding, and as such it is known to this day. 

There are portions of the township in which the soil is light and 
sandy, but there are other portions where it is good for general 
farming purposes, and fruit raising. Some of the most success- 
ful fruit orchards of the county are located in this township. The 
celebrated Stanhope orchard is located on section 2, the Golden 
Stock farm on section 12, the Branch's orchards are on section 21, 
A. M. Pringle"s and B. C. Knapp's on section 24, and Caleb Davis' 
on section 22. There are many other farms equally as good, but 
these through the public reports have become specially noted. The 
village of Mears is also located in this town upon the C. & W. M. 
R'y and is one of the most extensive shipping points for fruit in the 
county. There have been several saw mills in the township, but 
with its fine timber all but one have disai^peared and farming and 
fruit raising constitute the chief employment of the people. Char- 
coal making has been a great industry at a point about one-half mile 
north of the village, the kilns being a part of the Rankin system. 
These kilns have enabled farmers and fruit raisers to clear their 
lands without expense, and have furnished the locality with curren- 



AND BUSINESS MEN OF TO-DAY. 



151 



cy that has materially lessened the burdens of those engaged in im- 
proving lands. 

List of Supervisors, Clerks and Treasurers: 

Supervisors— J . Barnhart, '0-5- 
6; E. J. Sparks, '67; W.M. Prin- 
gle, '68; C. Davis, '69-'70-l-2; J. 
K. Howe, '73-4; Geo. Wyckoff, 
'75-6-7-8; Clark B. Genung, '79' 
'87-8; George A. Wagar, '80-1-2; 
E. E. Allen, '83-4; R. T. Morris, 
'85-6; J. F. Gumming, '89. 

C7eWis.— Alfred C. Wilson, '65; 
Hiram J. Wilson, '66; H. S. 
Bronson, '67; E. Goodman, '68; 
G. C. Hannum, '69-'70-l; Wm. 
Hiles, '72-3-4-5-6-7; Samuel J. 
Sparks, '78 (resigned in October) ; 
E'. H. Hotchkiss, from October, 
'78-9-'80-l-2-5-8; W. F. Downing 
'83-4; A. Tennant, '86-7; C. A. 
Campbell, '89. 

Treasurers. — W". J. Haughey, 
'65; Asa M. Pringle, '66-8; Wm. 
Hiles, '69; H. Howorth, '70-1-2- 

3-4-5-6; R. T. Morris, '77-8-9-'83-4; A. M. Pringle, '80-1; C. B. Ge- 
nung, '82; Geo. Wyckoff, '85; E. Stanhope, '86-7; E. E. Allen '88: 
H. M. Branch, '89. 




J. F.CUMMING, SUPERVISOR, '89. 



TOWNSHIP OF ELBRIDGE. 

The Christian name of one of Oceana's jiioneer settlers was se- 
lected as the name for this township. Elbridge R. Farmer, now an 
old man residing in Grand Rapids, is the person who was thus hon- 
ored. The territory included within the limits of the township is 
noted as the last camping ground of the red man in this vicinity. 
The township ranks sixth in the value of its assessable property. 
Its soil is heavy and in agricultural ]pursuits it is making rapid 
strides to the front. Hervey S. Sayles and the Hon. D. W. Crosbj', 
are among the first white settlers. 

"The first Sunday school in Elbridge was commenced in 1870, in 
the cedar school house, by the American Sunday-School Union. W. 
J. Tennant was the first Superintendent, and has continued in of- 
fice until the i^resent, with the exception of two years, when V. E. 
Kerr held the position. The children were nearly all Indians, there 
being four white families at that time in the town— Sayles, Crosby, 



152 



OCEANA COUNTY PIONEERS 



Cochran and Tennant. Among the pleasant reminiscences of the 
organization, might be mentioned the one of the Indians attending 
the schooh Indian children, having heard that there was going to 
be a Sabbath school, came from all parts of the town to see what 
kind of an institution it was. They came marching into the school 
house, with their bows and arrows, and accompanied by their dogs. 
They were instructed as well as could be done, to leave their bows 
and arrows at home, so the next time they came with nothing but 
their dogs. During the exercises, one of the dogs looked in at the 
^oor and growled, which caused nearly all in the house to laugh. 
One of the Indian boys did not like such actions, and as soon as he 
got out of doors he gave the dog a kick, but no sooner had he done 
that, than the owner of the dog fell to kicking him, and by the time 
the Superintendent got out of doors to stoj) it, they were having a 
regular knock-down fight." — Page's History of Oceana County. 

List of Supervisors, Clerks and Treasurers: 

iSiqjervisors. — S. G. Rollins, '58 ; Setli T. Robinson, '.19; Josiali Russell, 

'o9-'60-l : J. Bean, '63; W. H. Leach, 
'63; PI. S. Sayles, '64 5 6-7 8 '85 ;D. 
W. Crosby, '69-'70-'81-3 3 4-6-7 8; 
W. J. Tennant, '71-3-3; T. G. Houk, 
'74-5-6-7-8-9- -80; D. J. Hill, '89. 

C^e?•^•s.—H. H. Fuller, "58; Thos. 
W. Farrell, '59; Henry B. Burrill, 
'60; A. W. Peck. "61 ; VV. H. Leacli, 
'62; Ariel Crosby, '63; Hazen Leav- 
itt, '64; D. W. Crosby, '65-6-'74 5-6- 
7-8 9; Olney Bishop, '67; C. C. Coch- 
ran, '68 9; W. J. Tennant, '70 ; Jas. 
N. McCreary, '81; J. R. Thompson, 
'72-3; Jas. H. Wyman, "80; Jesse 
Weirich, '83-3 ; G. May, '84; J. Ten- 
nant, '85-6-7-8 9. 

2'reasurers. — Ira Jenks,'58; James 
R. Mooney, '59; Charles B. Wilsou^ 

'60 1; Joseph Babahmuseh, '62; H. S. Sayles, '(•.3-'76-7-9-'80: Seth T- Rob-' 

inson,'64-5 6; Joseph Pdyba-raa, '67 8 9-'70; Charles E. Hickey, '71 3-3; 

Louis Genereau, "74-5; James H. Wyman, '78; William N. Sayles, '81; A. 

C. Shepherdsou, '82; C. Leak, '83 4 9; G. May, "85 6; D. J. Hill, '87 8. 




D. J. HILL, SUPERVISOR '89. 



TOWNSHIP OF LEAVITT. 



The township of Leavitt derived its name from its first white set- 
tler, Hazen Leavitt, hale and hearty, although in his eighty-fifth 
year. 

For many years this has been considered a back town of the 



AND BUSINESS MEN OF TO-DAY. 



153 



county, but the building of the Butters ct Peters raih'oad to Stet- 
son from Ludington, caused the village of Walkerville to be plat- 
ted, the growth of which has been the most I'emarkableof any in the 
county. 

There ai*e many fine farms in this township, of which the L. Tj. 
Taylor and C. W. Leavitt are the most noted. 




Residence of L. L. Taylor, Leavitt. 



WALKERVILLE. 

Much has been said and much written regarding the wonderful 
growth of cities and towns in the West, but probably as remarka- 
ble a growth as many of those may be found in our own county. 
Walkerville is a village of today and the prospects are that the 
sudden growth of the town is also a permanent growth. In 1883 
Fayette Walker, who owned a mill at this point, platted a village 
and named it Walkerville. It is located upon parts of sections 
three and ten, of Leavitt township, the section line road between 
these sections being the main street of the village. When first plat- 
ted the growth was slow, it being only within the past three years 
and since the arrival of the Butters Sc Peters railroad that the 
town has boomed. It is located near a bad swamp which will not 
conduce to the good health of its inhabitants, but the village itself 
is situated upon high ground, with a broad main street bordered 
by walks uj^on either side. The town has a very decidedly new as- 
pect, some of the later buildings being as yet without paint, and 
others showing the recent application of the brush. As usual in 
new towns many of the storebuildings have residence rooms above. 
By means of the railroad mentioned the citizens have daily direct 



154 



OCEANA COUNTY PIONEERS 



communication with Ludington, and much trade goes that way. 
The name of the Post office is Stetson, and Mr. J. E. Doty is the 
genial Postmaster. Of business places, there are now two meat 
markets, two hotels, two general merchandise establishments, two 
drug stores, a saw and feed mill, two blacksmith shops, a hardware 
store, a barber shop, a shoe shop, a livery barn and a saloon. The 
M. E. society have commenced the erection of a church edifice. 
They have a good school, and taking it all in all, Walkerville is a 
thriving town which, if its last year's growth is equaled each year 
hereafter, will soon rival the other villages of the county. It is 
surrounded by a splendid farming country which will undoubtedly 
give permanancy to the growth of the village. 

List of Supervisors, Clerks 
and Treasurers of Leavitt: 
Supermsors. — 

Y. E. Clark, '65 7, H. Good- 
Tich. '68 9, A. C. Gowdy, 70-1-3 3, 
David Scott, 74 5-6-7 8, W. b\ 
Palmiter, '79-'80, J. Bogiie, '81- 
2 3-4-5-6-7, A. B. Holt. "88, Win. 
Hiilyard, '89. 
C7t" /.•«.— 

G. G. Scott, '82, G. H. Mem- 
field, •83-4-5-6-7 9, John Kobin- 
8011, "88. 
IVeasurers. — 

William VaugLn, '82, William 
Hilyard, '83-4 8, B. Craker, '85, 
0. Andreas, '86-7, J. Guklings, 
•89. 




WM. nrLYAED, SUPERVISOR, '89. 



TOWNSHIP OF NEWFIELD. 

This township was organized as an independent township under 
its present name in 1866. The origin of the name is thus explained 
in Page's History of Oceana County, by Joseph W. Sweet, an early 
settler of the place: 

"A number of the settlei's chanced to be in his house, and a prop- 
er name for the shortly to be organized town was discussed. El- 
bridge Green wished it to be called Greenfield; Alex. McLaren pro- 
posed Sweet-town, which was modestly declined, on the part of Mr. 
Sweet, who, in turn, suggested Perrytown, in honor of old Booth 



AND BUSINESS MEN OF TO-DAY 



155 



Perry, the fix-st settler in the town, but at last the name of 'Xew- 
field' prevailed, and was inserted in the i^etition." 

List of Supervisors, Clerks and Treasurers: 

Superci!<ors. — Henry C. Havv- 
ley, "66 7-8 9 '75-6-7-8 9 '81-3, J. 
W. Duimin.ii, '701 2, J. N. Cbel- 
lis, '73-4, J. E. Phiio, '83-4-5-6-7- 
8-9. 

Clerks.— Cha.v\eh H. Potter,; '66- 
7 9-'72, Charles Strobridge, '68- 
H. C. Havvlev. '70, H. K. Bush, 
'71, J,W. Dunnincr, '73-4-5 6 7. 
O. A. Rowland, '78- '84, I. H. Bar- 
low, '80, Charles Perkins, '81, W. 
Flemino, '82 3, J. F. Bush. '85, 
A. T. Kowland, '88, A. A. Math- 
erson, '87, A. C. Eldridye, '84 9. 

Ireasurers. — Joseph W. Sweet 
'66 7-8, M. A. Frink. '69, B. F. 
Marqiiick, '70-1-2-3, S. Atherton, 
'74 5, J. McGill, Jr., '76-7, G. D. 
Webster, '78 9-'80, P. Monroe. 
'81-2, John McCowen, '83. Chas. 
E. Strobrido-e, '84-5, O. A. Row- 
laud, '80-7, M. Ressefruie, '88-9. 




J. E rmi.o. sui'ERvisoK, '89. 



VILLAGE OF HESPEKIA. 

The village of Hesperia is located on the south side of White Riv- 
er, X3artly in Oceana and x:)artly in Newaygo counties. That por- 
tion located in Oceana county is in the township of Newfield. The 
main street of the village is the county line, this dividing not only 
the business but the residence portion nearly in the center. Being 
in the center of a rich farming country with no other villages very 
near, there is but one reason why it has not grown much faster 
than it has, and that reason is its lack of railroad communication 
with the outside world. Efforts have been made at various times 
to secure a road, but thus far they have been unsuccessful. In 
spite of this drawback Hesperia has become a thriving village and 
includes among its business men many energetic and enterprising 
citizens. The village was platted and recorded in 1866, T. L. Wa- 
ters being the Surveyor. The land was owned by John P. Cook 
and Daniel Weaver. An addition has since been added upon the 
south by O. A. Rowland. The first log house was built in 1857 
and the first frame house in 1866. The lirst settler on the Oceana 
side was J. W. Sweet. A saw mill was erected in 1866, a flouring 



156 OCEAKA COUNTY PIONEERS 

mill in 1871, and anotlier in 1882. The village was incorporated 
in 1883, and the following named gentlemen have had the office of 
President: Daniel Weaver two years, H. C. Hawley two years, H. 
K. Bush two years, and the present incumbent is Dr. L. E. Norton. 
The village at present contains two grist mills, one saw mill, a 
stave mill, a grist mill which also does planing and general work, a 
bee hive factory, six combined dry goods and grocery stores, two 
hardwares, two drug stores, two meat markets, one milliner, four 
blacksmith shops, two liveries, three hotels, one newspaper the 
Hesperia "News", a barber shop, a gent's furnishing establishment, 
a furniture store, two jewelers, and a shoe shop. There are four 
practicing i^hysicians and one lawyer located here. There are three 
church edifices, Presbyterian, Baptist and Methodist Episcopal, 
and four religious organizations. About 1885 the village made a 
contract with W. J. Tennant to put in waterworks tor fire purpos- 
es, and it now has a good system. There are five hydrants. The 
power isfurnished by Webster's sawmill and direct pressure is used. 
The pumps are rotary. There is a well regulated fire department 
of which Mr. L. S. Weaver is Chief. The department is composed 
of two hose companies of thirteen men each, and is equipx^ed with 
two carts and other necessary appliances. The one thing that the 
people pride themselves upon more than any other is their graded 
school. They have a fine school building and a good corps of tea.ch- 
ers composed of Mr. Will S. Millard as principal, and three assist- 
ants. The Postoffice at present is located on the Newaygo side 
Avith Mr. W. C. Simmons as Postmaster. Hesperia is quite a town 
for secret and other societies, there being at present in operation 
and in flourishing condition a Masonic Lodge with a branch of the 
order of the Eastern Star, an Odd Fellows' Lodge, a Post of the 
Grand Army of the Republic with a Woman's Relief Corps in con- 
nection, and a Camp of the Sons of Veterans. They also have a 
Lodge of the Ancient Order of United Workmen with a membership 
of twenty. 

TOWNSHIP OP FERRY. 

The township of Reed was organized pursuant to a resolution of 
the Board of Supervisors in April, 1869. The Reeds, Elnathan J. 
and Theodore F., were prominent in securing the organization of 
the town and the name of Reed was given to it. Afterwards, by 
Act of the Legislature the name was changed from Reed to Ferry 
in honor of the Hon. T. W. Ferry, U. S. Senator. A Postoffice was 
established on the northeast quarter, of section twenty-eight, nam- 
ed Reed, a school house built, a saw mill, grist mill, store and 



I 



AND BUSINESS MEN OF TO-DAY. 



157 



church added, and quite a thriving village is now located here, the 
center of a fine tract of farming lands. 

The soil of the township varies from light to heavy, and its tim- 
ber is excellent. The township has passed its lumber period and is 
now entering upon a more successful and permanent development. 
The following is the Gazetteer of the village: 

B. F. Archer, Hardware. 
Charles B. Archer, Tinshop. 
Frank Carpenter, Wagonmaker. 

0. L. Cederquist, Shoemaker. 

Fox Bros., Livery, and stage to Shelby. 

Wm. E. Gunn, Blacksmith. 

John M. Heim, Eagle Hotel and Helm's Hall. 

Orion Hightower, Groceries. 

Dr. L. Irish & Co., Drugs. 

Nathan Irish, Ferry House and Meat Markets. 

Mrs. P. A. Jackson, Barber. 

W. R. Mathews, Real Estate and Loan. 

Mrs. Manderville & Co., Millinery. 

Powers Bros., Grist and Saw Mill. 

1. ]M. Young & Co., Groceries and Dry Goods. 

List of Supervisors, Clerks and Treasurers: 

Supervisors. — B. F. Reed, 
'69-'70-l; T. F. Reed, '72-3; 
R. P. Ferris, '74-5; D. Lan- 
don, '76-7-8-9-'80-l-2-3-4; B. 
F. Archer, '85; G. M. Smith, 
'86; E. L. Benton, '87-8-9. 

Clerks.— T. Smith, '69-'70; 
Chas. Gaylord, '72; T. P. 
Landon, '73-'87-8; E. L.Ben- 
ton, '74-6-7-8-9-'80; Gus. M. 
Smith, '75-'82-3-4; Chas. W. 
Powers, '81-6-9; W. E. Gunn, 
'85. 

Treasurers.— J. F. Evans, 
'69; Levi Powers, '72; Daniel 
Landon, '73-4-5; G. M. Smith, 
'76-7-8-'80-l; T.H.Pittenger, 
'79; E. L.Benton. '82-4; J. A. 

Chellis, '83; W.E. Hightower, E. l. benton, supervisor, '89. 
85-6; W. W. Powers, '87; J. H. Critchett, '88-9. 




158 



OCEANA COUNTY PIONEERS 



TOWNSHIP OE CRYSTAL. 



In the winter of 1865, Jared H. Gay, who had been a settler since 
July, 1861, made an effort to have the town set off from Weare. 
There not being enough legal voters, he contracted to deed lands 
on section 16, to George Lammon, Charles Willet and Albert 0. 
Aldrich. A remonstrance against separation was got up by par- 
ties in Elbridge and Weare, but Mr. Gay employed Chas. W. Deane, 
a lawyer of Pentwater, to advocate his cause, and was successful. — 
Page's History of Oceana County. 

Jared H. Gay is probably the first permanent white settler of this 
town. He has been prominent in the offices of the town ever since 
and is still a resident of it. The beautiful and appropriate name 
of Crystal was selected by his wife. The beautiful crystal streams 
of water for which it is noted suggested the name to Mrs. Gay. 

In its eai'ly history Crystal was the lumberman's pride, and soon 
became ravaged by the voracious mills. Lately it is developing as 
an agricultural town. Its brooks of clear, cold water fed bj- springs 
abound with trout. The Butters & Peters R. R., as it is known, 
runs from Ludington thro' this townshijp to Stetson, in the town of 
Leavitt. Ci-ystal Valley is the name of its village which has a pop- 
ulation of about 200. Mail by stage tri-weekly. It has an M. E. 
Church building, Odd Fellows' Hall, general store, saw mill, hotel, 
wagon shop, harness shop, shoe shop, etc. 
List of Supervisors, Clerks and Treasurers. 

Supervisors. — Dr. Jas. J. Kit- 
tridge, '66-8-9; William Murch, 
'67; Geo. C. Crouch, '70; Jas. 
Corsaut, '71; Charles Willet, 
'72-3-'83; Henry Cogill, '74-5-6 
7-9-'80-l-2-4-8; T. T. Jones, 
'78-'85-6-7-9. 

Clerks.— B. K. Foster, '66-7; 
William Murch, '68-9; Moses F. 
Stone, '70; Geo. Lammon, '71; 
Henry Cogill, '72-3; F. B. Kit- 
tridge, '74; Joseph Cogill, '75; 
J. Webster, '76-7; C. A. Noble, 
'78-9-'80-8; E. F. Avery, '81-2- 
'84; I. C. Harwood, '83-5; B. F. 
Stone, '86; J. H.Chadwick, '87; 
P. B. Harwood, '89. 

Treasurers. — Jared H. Gay, 
'66-7-8; Henry Cole, '69; Paul 
Bushaw,'70; J. J. Kittridge, '71-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-'81-4; F. B.Kittridge, 




T. T. JONES, SUPERVISOR, '89. 



AND BUSINESS MEN OF TO-DAY. 159 

'79-80; D. P. Kelly, ■82-3-5-G; A. O. Aldrich, "ST-S; Charles Corn- 
stock, '89. 

TOWNSHIP OF GREIONWOOD. 

H. D. Clark was the lir.st settler, and located in the extreme south- 
east corner,' closely followed by L. and A. IMcCalliini, Amos Wright, 
Tj. T. Brown, B. Ish, and others. Oliver Swain and Judge Camp 
followed soon after, settling in the extreme northeastern part, and 
B. F. Moe located midwaj^ between the two settlements. 

The town was slowly settled, as it was a dense lumbering region, 
and only as the lower portions of the country, bordering on White 
River, began to be exhausted of their timber, did Greenwood begin 
to be sought out by the early lumbermen. Situated on the south 
branch of the White River, it was possible by means of pole boats, 
to transport the settlers and their effects to the Rapids, and to 
team thence to their future homes by means of oxen, or oftener, by 
the forest trails, on the backs of the .settlers and their obliging 
neighbors. Goods were often thus brought up from the mouth of 
White River, where there was early a settlement, with the usual ac- 
-companiment of a sawmill, store, and the inevitable saloon or two. 
Sometimes, a settler and his family Avith their household effects, 
were dumped down on the north side ot Muskegon Lake, to make 
their way the best they coidd, by foot, to White River Postoffice, 
and thence by pole boats up the \Miite River, or bj' ox team, and 
often in fording the streams they stood in imminent danger of 
drowning. 

Another mode of entering the country was by the way of Neway- 
go. 

The first settler was Henry I). Chirk. He is still hale and hearty, 
and enjoying the fruits of his labors on a beautiful farm in the ex- 
treme southeastern corner of the county, on section 36. He made 
his way into his present lot in September, 1835, and built a rude 
shanty of score blocks and bark, and commenced to make a clear- 
ing. After about five weeks of lonely blessedness, he heard, one 
evening, the welcome sound of a human voice — that of Amos Wright 
who asked if he wanted companj'. One may be sure that never 
was Robinson Crusoe so delighted at finding Friday, as Clark was 
to hear the cheery sound of a human voice, and to grasp the hand 
of Wright and that of the sturdy, honest Scotchman who ac- 
companied him, Mr. Lachlan McCallum, now one of the best farm- 
ers in the county. Messrs. Wright it McCallum came in October, 
1855. They had met by accident, in Jolm Ball's office, in Grand 
Rapids, and found land in Greenwood. Lyman J. Browne came in 
about the same time. When H. D. Clark r;ii.sed his log house, he 



160 



OCEANA COrXTY PIONEERS 



had to scour the country tor nine miles around to get men enough 
to assist in the raising. Archibald McCallnm, who was afterwards 
a martyr in the war, came about the same time as Lachlan, his 
brother, and the two worked in the lumber woods." — Page's Histo- 
rj- of Oceana County. 

On page 103 appears the account of the Cogswell tragedy, which 
convulsed the citizens of Greenwood with horror. 

The township was organized in April, 1858, and the name Green- 
wood selected as being expressive of the ajDpearance of her forests. 
An attempt was made to name the town Oliver in honor of an old 
settler, Oliver Swain, but failed. 
List of Supervisors, Clerks and Treasurers: 

iSupervisors. — O. S wain, '58- 
9-'60-l-2; Chas. Camp, '63- 
4-5-6-7-part of '79-'86; Hen- 
ry F. Cushman,'68-9-'70-l-3; 
Joseph Stevens, '72-'80; I. H. 
Cogswell, '74-5-6-7-8-9; Ben- 
jamin F. Hermance, '81-2; A. 
ivi. Phelps, '83-1-5; Chas. Ser- 
fling, '87-8-9. 

■ Clerlis. — Cyrus W. Bullen, 
'58-9; Lachlan McCallum, 
'60-l-'75-6-7-8; J. M. Swain, 
'62-3; Chas. E.Sischo, '64; R. 
F. Wells, 65-6-7-8-9-'70-l; O. 
F. Williams, '72; A.M.Phelps 
'73-4-'87-8; C. Serfling, '79- 
'80-1-2-3-4-5-6; B. F. Her- 
mance, '89. 

Treasurers. — Craig B. Moe, 
'58; Benjamin Ish, '59-'60-l-2; Ezra I. Rugg, '63; Henry C. Hawley, 
'64-5; Joseph Stevens, '66-7-8-9-'70-l-5-6-7-8-9; H. F. Cushman, 
'72; Enos Scott, '73-4; Rudolph Bell, '80-1; A. M. Phelps, '82-9; B. 
F. Hermance, '83-4; H. D. Clark, '85-6; R. Avers, '87-8. 




C. SERFLING}, SUPERVISOR, '89. 



TOWNSHIP OF OTTO. 

This township comxDrised its present territory and that of Ferry. 
It was organized and held its first election in 1860. In 1868 the 
township of Reed (now Ferry) was organized, taking the north half 
of Otto. This left Otto very weak as its land was principally valu- 
able for its timber, and a large portion of it was owned by,non-resi- 
dents. Although with the growth of the county it has gradually 
muroved, its progress has been slow. Its vote is only about 26, 



I 



AND BUSINESS AFKN OF TO-DAY. 161 

and its assessed valuation is $51,000, the lowest of any town in 
the county. It derived its name, Otto, from the German "Otiio." 

List of Supervisors, Clerks and Treasurers: 

Supervisors.— E. J. Reed, '60-1; B. Hill. '62-3-4; B. F. Reed, '65; 
J. F. Evans, '66-7-8; S. B. Potter, '69: Jacob Williamson, '70-4-5- 
6-'81-2-3-4-6-7-8-9; Robert Pointer, '7L-2; L. H. Shaw, '73; O. E. 
Fogg, '77-8-9-'80-5. 

C/er7vs.— Timothy Smith. '64-5-7; Daniel Williams. '66: Cliarles 
Rathbun, '68; E. O. Peck, '69; L. B. Shaw, '69-70-1; J.Williamson, 
from July, "72; S. B. Potter, '73-4-5-6-7-8-9-'80-l-2-3-4-5-7-8-9; E. 
E. Ellis, '86. 

Treasurers.— J. F. Evans, '63-4; J. M. Haines, '65; J. Hinds, '66- 
7; G. R. Quick, '68; J. Gowell, '69; J. Williamson, from Nov., '69, 
to March, '70'-85; E. H. Ellis, '70; W. Duke, part of '71; O. Adams, 
'71-2-3-4-5-6-'86-7; O. E. Fogg, '76-7-'84-8; S. B. Stephenson, '78; F. 
Newman, '79-'80-2-3; C. Newman, '81. 

TOWNSHIP OF GRANT. 

The township of (Jrant is located in the south tier of towns of 
Oceana Countj', Mich., and is the legal subdivision known as Town- 
ship No. 13 north, of Range No. 17 west, and was subject to entry 
at the United States Land Office at Ionia, Midi. 

The townshiii was oi'ganized Dec. 31, 1866. The tlrst township 
meeting was held on the lirst day of April, 1867, at the house of 
Jason Carpenter, at which meeting O. K. White was elected Super- 
visor, Jason Carpenter, Clerk, and Henry \V. Turk, Treasurer, each 
receiving twenty-seven votes — all that were polled. The first set- 
tlement was made by Fernando Seaver. in the then township of 
Claybanks, Ottawa County, on section 31, in 1851, followed bj' 
William Winderknecht and John Brocker, soon after. Alfred Pope 
also settled on the same section, on the farm now owned and occu- 
pied by Harvej- Tower, in 1856. The same year Alonzo Green 
made a settlement on section 30. In May, 1857, O. K. White set- 
tled on section 7, after opening nearly six miles of road. In the 
fall of 1857, the first election was held for the election of county of- 
ficers for Oceana County. Jason Carpenter made a settlement on 
section 5, in 1859, and De.xter M. Wiieeler settled on section 4, in 
1800; John Smith on same section, in 1861. ]\Iilo H. Sweet made 
a settlement on section 6, Henry W. Turk on section 9, Alonzo 
Smith and James Baker on section 10, the same year. At this time 
wolves were thick and quite familiar, so much so that John Brock- 
er tells us that when he had got his shanty so far completed as to 
move into it, with a blanket for a door, one of the fello./s pushed 
his head through the door and took a survey of the interior of the 



162 



OCEAXA COUNTY PIONEERS 



shanty. It was evidently satisfactory to him, t'ov he trotted away 
with the utmost indifference when the family entered a jprotest 
against his company. 

0. K. White says: "In November, 1861, four of the fraternity 
]paid us a visit. They were heard near the house in the afternoon, 
so near, indeed, that the children took to the house for fear of 
tliem. About 8 o'clock in the evenino the ball was opened in good 
earnest, and they kept up their howling the entire night, approach- 
ing the house and then retreating. The music was fearful, and ef- 
fectually jDrevented sleep in that house. An infant, scarcely four 
months old, exhibited signs of fear, although held in her mother's 
arms. I was unable to scare them away, with any means at hand, 
although I tried repeatedly. I imagined there might be at least a 
dozen, but tracks in the liq;ht snow revealed the fact that there were 
only four.'" — P.ii;e".-< History of Oceana County. 

This to\vnslii|) \va< named after the the great Union General by 
the organizers, who were adniii-ers of him long before the people of 
the country at 1 ir,e had beu:un to fully appreciate his services. 
List of Snper\is()rs, Ckn-ks and Treasurers: 

Supervisors.— . K. White, 
•67-8-9-'70-l-4; N.Green, '72; 
H. W. Turk, '73; H. H. Hand, 
'75-6; Harvey Tower, '77; M. 
H. Sweet, '78-9-'80-l-2-3-4-5- 
6-7-8; E. S. Randall, '89. 

Clerks. — J. Carpenter, '67; 
L. W. Bennett, '68; D.Hecor, 
'69; H. S. Marble, '70; J. S. 
Osborn, '71; A. Sainsbury, 
'72-3-4-5-6-8-9- '80-1-2-3-4- 5- 
6-7-8-9; A. White, '77. 

Treasurers. — Hy. W. Turk, 
'67-8-9-'75; L. B. Godfrey, 
'70-1; B. F. West, '72-3: N. 
Green, '74; J. M. Keyes, '76; 
M. H. Sweet, '77; 0. K. White, 
'78; F. Seaver, '79-'80; F. A. 
E. s. HANDALL, SUPERVISOR, '89. Foster, '81-2-7; J. G. John- 
son, '83 4; F. A. Robbins, '85; E. D. White, '86; J. B. Conger, '88-9. 




TOWNSHIP OF COLFAX. 



This is anothei- patriotic town, named in honor of an illustrious 
Vice President. The township is a close competitor with Otto for 
the smallest number of inhabitants of any town in the county. It 



AND BUSINESS MEN OF TO-DAV. 



108 



is, however, still possessed of valuable pine lands, and some ;joo(l 
for fanning purposes. Its assessed valuation in 11S80 was $154.- 
000. Calvin Woodwortii, a patriarch in appeaiance. is the oldest 
living resident of the town. He located theiv in 1804, and has 
been an active factor in all its public intei-csts ever since. His son 
is the ijresent Supervisor. 

List of Supervisors, Clerks and Treasni-ei-s: 

Siiporvisors. — (1. C. Benton, 
'09-'7O; C. Woodworth, '71- 
2-3-'82; Fayette Walker, "74- 
o-0-7-8-9-'80-l: J. :M. Bald- 
win, 3-4-5-0-7-8; C. A. Wood- 
worth, '89. 

Chrlis.—X. S. Perrins. '09; 
J. B. Winans, '70-5; S. A. 
Blanchard, '71-e-"82; Alfon- 
so C. Gowell, '72-3-4; Andrew 
.T.Cole, '77-8-9-'80-I; T. W. 
Dragi,'00, '83-4-5-0-7-8-9. 

Treasui'ers. — ^-A. Freeman, 
'09-'77-8-9-'80; F. Walker, 
'70-1-2-3-4; A. Draggoo, '75- 
0-'81-2; Calvin Woodworth, 
'83; Rufus Jewell, '84; C. A. 
Woodworth, '85-0; Fred. E. 
Woodworth. "87-8-9; 

c. A. woonwoiiTH, sii'J':rv:sor, "89. 




CHAPTER XII. 



SECRET AND SOCIAL ORGANIZATIONS. 



MASONIC. 

Freeniasonrj", tVoin the tiineot the organization of the first Lodge 
in 1866, lias niaiiitaiiierl a steady, healthy growth, there now being 
four flourishing lodges of Free and Accepted Masons, besides a 
Chapter of Royal Arch JNIasons and a Council of Royal and Select 
Masters. There are also in the county two Chapters of the Order 
of the Eastern Star, one at Hesperia, Eureka Chapter No. 188, and 
one at Hart, Hart Chapter No. 60, with 66 members. The four 
lodges have an aggregate membership of 274, among them being 
some of the leading men of the county.' They all have good lodge 
rooms, t he one at Pentwater, owned by the order, being especially 
commodious, well furnished, and conveniently arranged. 

OCEANA LODGE NO. 200, F. & A. M. 

"Was organized at Pentwater in 1866. The preliminary meeting 

was held at Middlesex Hall 



on June 12, 1866. The next 
meeting was a called commu- 
nication at same place on 
Aug. 14, 1866, and the first 
regular communication was 
held on Aug. 21, 1866. The 
following were the charter 
members of the lodge, and it 
maybe observed that the on- 
ly one of them now living at 
Pentwater is Ebenezer B. 
Clark: 
.T. Boyuton, W. H. Sibley, 

Rev. G. D. Lee, E. B. Clark, 
I). C. Pelton, M. Gloyd. 

The first officers were: 
.T. Boynton, W. M. 
A. B. Jialtl, Sec. G. Goodsell, Treas. 




G. W. IMUS, Tth P. M. 
W. 11. Sibley, S. W. S. \V. Foiueioy, J. D. 



I 



AND BL'SIXESS MEN OF TO-DAY. 



165 



The following are Past Masters 
E. E. Edwards, R. L. Hardy, L. 
xy, G. W. Imus, O. H. Dean, 
Stuart Mackibbin. 

The present oiUcers are: 

K. B. Flagg, W. M. 

J I. A. (iiant, S. W. 

J. Halstead, J. W. 

F. Nielsen, Treas. 

E. B. Clark, Sec'y. 

M. V. Badgley, S. D. 

O. H. Tayer, J. D. 

Anthon Jensen, Tyler. 

Geo. H. Cleveland, Cliap. 

C. M. Underliill, A. H. Palmer, 

Stewards. 

The stated communications ''- 
are held on the Tuesday on 
before full of moon, at Ma- 
sonic Hall. 

The present members are as 
follows: 



, in the order named: J. Boynton, 
D. Grove, J. M. Rice, W. E. Dock- 



W. E. Ambler 
Joini Bloore 
M. Bundy 



M. S. Ainslie 
C. W. Brown 
('. ][. ChapiiKin 



E. B. FLACC, \V. 1\I. 



X. Eiljeuberg 
A. H. Palmer 



J. K. MeClurc 
^V. A. IJounds 





O 



H. DEAN, 8th P. M. 




y. Badgley, 
, H. Browne 

H. U.-an 
J. Fegan 
H. M. Cibscm 
J. Halstead, 
C. W. Hills 
Anllion Jensen 
J. J. Kittriilge 
Wr. Kl.ngUeil 
Wm. Age 
C. M. Baker 
J. H. Bouton 
Hiram Brink 
(J. II. Cleveland 
E. B. Flagg 
H. A. (Jrant 
Otto Grant 
\\'\». Hiuls m 

E. M, Hartwi -k 
J. C. Jensen 
Wm. Knlni 
I. X. Lewis 

F. E. Moody 
S. Maekibbiu 
C^Pool 
Peter Kieliter 
C. Scversen 
Wm. Webb 

r. Mero 
I. M. lUee 



Hobart Brink 

A. l!abr 

M. Ewald 
John Fisher 
J. G rover 
J. Hagestrom 
Carl Hanson 
Peter Jensen 
Fred Knhn 
A. O. Aldrieli 
W. H. B:iiley 
H. H. 15nnyea 
F. Binnie 

E. B. Clark 
Jnlins Demers 
Jaeob Fishi-r 

F. Goodsell 
M. Hardway 

G. W. Imns 
C. \\. Johnson 
W. A. Kidni 
A. Lafronier 
C. E. Moody 
E. Xiekerson 
O. D. Itichards 
G. G. Senback 
A. Stn'ensi-n 
A. J. Underbill 
C. Zibball 
Nielsen 



I 

W. B. O. Sands 



O. II. Tayer 



C. M. UndLThiU (!eo. Waiiie 



1G6 



OCEANA COUNTY PIONEERS 



WIGTOX T.OrCJE NO. 251, F. it A. .M. 



Was organized at Hart on the 




W. E. THOllP, Stli I'. M. 
.Tolni Ellit»tt, J. W. 

The following have l)een 
Worshipful Masters during 
the years as named: 

J. M. Rice, '68; W. S. 
Pratt, '69; W. H. Walker, 
'70; L. G. Rutherford, ^71- 
2; David Johnson, '73-4:-S- 
9-'80-l-2; W. Coolidge, '75- 
6; Wni. J. Britton, '77; W. 
E. Thorp, '83; E. D. Rich- 
mond, '84; E. T. Mugford, 
'85-6-7; A. L. Carr, '88-9. 
The present officers are: 

A. L. Can-, W. M. 

T. J. Collins, S. W. 

L. P. Hyde, J. W. 

T. J. Main, Treas. 

W. N. Sayles, Sec"y. 

A J. Felter, S. I). 

John Cavy, .1. U. 

F. H. Edwards, Tyler. 

W. Coolidfie, Caa|). 

J. S. Hyde, Organist. 



7th day of May, 1868. The char- 
ter members were as fol- 
lows: 

J. M. Kiee 

John p:iliott 

A. E. Palmiter 

VV. H. Walker 

1). Benhani 

L. G. Paithevford 

W. Coolidge 

H. C. Mason 

Byron S. Pratt 

M. K. Chadwick 

Jas E. Williams 

Wm. Wigton 

"Wni. H. Leaeh 

K. E. Collins 

A. Mason 

The following have since 
died: A. E. Palmiter, Jas. 
E. Williams, Win. Wigton 
and K. R. Collins. 
The first officers were: 

J. M. Rice, AV. M. 
Byron !S. Pratt, S. W. 
M. E. Chadwirk, See'y. 







E. T>. RICHMOND, 9th P. M. 



AND BUSIXESS MEX OF TO-DAY 



167 



The stated coiiiniunic-ations 
on or before the full of moon, 
ton block and is nicely fur- 
nished throughout; and the 
financial standing is good. 
The members Jan. 1, 1890, 
were as follows: 



ot this lodge are on the Wednesdays 
The lodge hall is located in the Wig- 



c. M. Avciy 
G. C. Unullcy 
A. L. Ciur 
M. >'. Collins 
Win. J. Cole 
H. L. Deviiic 
.1. K. Flood 
\V. H. i;;iilcy 
Tyler Caiiiiei' 
W. K. Collier 
.Toliii Carj;i!I 
T.J. Collins 
1). (i. Krvin 
O. A. Franibi's 
1). B. Ilntchins 
T. G. Honk 
David .lolmson 
G. L. Lacey 
J. MeFayden 
Wni. .I.MclIae 



M. H. Hrooks 
W. Co liilj^e 
J. G. Caiy 
J. V. Cahill 
H. J. Chadwick 
F. H. Edwards 
D. Benliani 
M. H. Chadwick 
A. K. Chappell 
(J. L. Ciunili 
C. Conistock 
A. A. Dnnton 
A. J. Felter 
.1. A. Franil)es 
H. J. Holmes 
L. P. Hyde 
O. W. Knox 
N. Miller 
L. A. Blelntyre 
J. C. Tierce 





K. T. IMUGFOKl), Kith P. ISI. 



S. I Mass 
n. E. Knssell 
R. \V. IJiddell 
^\^m. Shater 
W. N. Sayles 
Wni. Thorp 
T. A. Tice 
\V. M. \ViKton 
Elmer Wyekoft 
H. B. Hatch 
A. G. Hyatt 
L. E. Johnson 

E. T. Mn^t'ord 
T. J. Main 

A. W. Peek 

F. J. Itnssell 
K. y. Hoberts 
Levi Stuik 
Clias. .Sackrider 
W. II. II. Turner 
T. C. Tinner 
(ieo Wyekolf 

W. 11. 



L. <i. Kutlierlord 
M. i\I. Knmsey 
J. W. Kiddell" 
W. Stitl 
^Vnl. SnydiM- 
W. E. Tiior). 
(ieo. Tate 
\V. H Waters 
C. A. flnrney 
F. W. Hnhhard 
J. H. Hyde 
A. ISlason 
S. McFwen 
Will MeUae 
n. Palmer 
F. I). Kiehnioiid 
H. S. Sayles 
c. W. slayton 
J. E. Smith 
.Joseph Tyler 
W. L. Tilileii 
A. S. White 
Wi-ton 



A. L. (APR, W. M. 



168 



OCEANA COUXTY PIONEERS 



BENONA LODGE NO. 289, P. & A. M. 

This lodge was organized under dispensation from the Grand 
Master, Oct. 7, 1870, at Benona, and a charter was issued by the 

Grand Lodge, January 
12, 1871. The following 
were charter members: 




Clias. H. Howe 
H. Hottmaii 
K. Sabin 
(I. Coiikliu 



Win. Olincler 
Win. Anderson 
A. R. Wlieelei" 
T. Barber 

the 



RICHARD E. CATER. 3rd P. M. 

work un ier th^^ chai'ter w i? th3 
Kichard E. Cater. 

The following brothers have 
held the position of Worship- 
ful Master: Chas. H. Howe, 
Henry Hoffman, Richard E. 
Cater, John Thompson, A. Z. 
Moore and \Vm. H. Barry. 

The present officers are: 

A. Z. Mnore, W. M. 
W. M. (lardiner, S. AV. 
A. R. McKiniion, .T. W. 
Hugli Jolnis^on, Treas. 

D. E. McClure, Sec'v 
I. D. Hull, S. 1). 

E. D. Cliittenilcn,.!. O. 
H. W. Hutchinson. Tyler 

H. W. Rcid. H. C. Grimu, Stewards. 

The lodge was moved from 
Benona to Shelby village on 
Feb. 3, 1877, and now meets 
in its comfortable hall, situat- 
ed in the upper story of the 
Churchill Sz Phelps brick block. 



The first officers of 
Lodge were: 

Chas. H. Howe, W. M. 

Ransom Sabin, S. W. 

Wni. Olindcr, J. AV. 

A. R. Wheeler, Treas. 

Henry Hoffman, Sec'y 

Geo. Conkhn, 8. D. 

Wm. Anderson, J. J). 

Thos. Barber, Tyler 

L. H. Moore, Deji. Grand 

Master, on June 9, 1871, 

instituted and dedicated 

the lodge, and the first 

conf.^-rin^ the third degree upon 




WM. H. BARRY, 6th P. M. 

The nights of meeting are the Tues- 



AND BUSINESS MEN OF TO-DAY. 



169 




A. R. MCKIXXOX, J. \V. 

days _^ on or before full of 
moon. The lodge is in a 
flourishing condition, and 
numbers among its mem- 
bers some of the best men 
in the county. Arrange- 
ments have been made to 
place the portraits of de- 
ceased members upon the 
walls of the lodge room and 
among others will be that 
of Hon. A.R. \Yheeler look- 
ingdovvn upon the workings 
of the lodge he helped so 
much to oi'ganize. 

The following is a list of 
the present members: 
Iliirry L. Andrus 



Win. H. Aiulerson 
Alaiisoii Beckwith 
Newton L. IJird 




W. M. GAKDINEK, S. W. 



170 



OCEAXA COUNTY PIOXEERS 



Eclward F. Coon 
S. A. Butts 
Joliathan Critcliett 
Ira U. Hull 
Joseph Lyttle 
Tlios. rittenger 
E. J. Shirts 
Win. A. Tyler 
.Toliu F. Cumming 
Geo. B. fietty 
Angus Kennedy 
Andrew Oleson 
Chas. A. Sessions 
Chas. H. Tullar 



Alljert G. Avery 
\V. H. Churchill 
Geo Everdeen 
G. B. Hiteheock 
Irvin W. Loomis 
Dan'l H. Rankin 
I. L. Staples 
F. W. Wilson 
Geo. E. Dewey 
E. W. Iluteliinson 
W. Larrabee 
David C. Russell 
J. D. M. Shirts 

Charles Wi 



.T. B. Applegate, 
Wm. C'onijjton 
W. Myron Gardiner 
Israel Hull 
A. K. MeKinnon 
Henry W. Reid 
F. A. Scott 
J. W. Warner 
Martin Foster 
Elmer Higlitower 
A. Z. Moore 
Angus D. Rankin 
A. Sigourney 
itson Elias 



Wni. H. Barry 
Ell)ert Chittenden 
Ira F. (Jifford 
Hugh Johnston 
Win. Olinder 
Ransom Sabin 
John Thompson 
Egltert Cliittenden 
H. C. Griffin 
Stephen Inman 
Dan'l E. McClure 
Alfred E. Souter 
A. J. Stewart 
Wightman 



HESPERIA LODGE NO. 346, F. cfe A. M. 

The dispensation for the institution of the lodge at Hesperia was 
granted on Oct. 27, 1874, and the charter was granted Jan. 24, 
1875. The following were the charter members: 

Philip H. Weaver Lealand G. Weaver Sylvanus Atherton Jacob Carlisle 

Joseph W. Sweet J. W. Dunning Nathan Heath 

Alvin Decker Sliepard Til)bitts 

The following became the first officers of the lodge: 

Philip H. Weaver, W. M. J. W. Dunning, S. W. Lealand (4. Weaver, J. W. 
Philetus Munroe, Treas. J. F. Howard, Sec'y 

The Worshipful Masters in the order in which they served were as 
follows: P. H. Weaver, J. W. Dunning, Chas. Stark, John Smith 
and Orvil E. Morton. 

The present officers are: 

J. W. Dunning, W. M. Chas. Stark, S. W. A. L. Scott, J. W. 

Ephraim Utley, Treas. E. R. Haight, Sec'y P. H. Weaver, S. D. 

Phineas Brown, J. D. R. S. Burt, Tyler Chas. Wilcox. W. C. Mull, Stewards. 

The stated communications of this lodge are on Friday of each 
month on or before full of moon, in ^lasonic Hall, in J. W. Dun- 
ning's store building on the Oceana Co. side of Main Street. They 
have a very nice hall, pleasantly located and neatly furnished. 
They have buried two members since Jan. 1, Philetus Munroe and 
Horace Carbine. The members Jan. 1, 1890, were as follows: 



Phineas Brown 
Jas. Colwell 
(!eo. W. Ferguson 
O. Z. Hawley 
E. S. Nortli 
John Smith 
Epliraiin Utley 
W. I. Biilson 
.r. W. Dunning 
E. R. Haight 
O. E. INIorton 
Jos. OHara 
J. W. Sweet 



Geo. R. Boyer 
Benj. Candee 
Wm. (iregson 
M. M. Mansfield 
Fred Xe\\inan 
E. B. Slocum 
Chas. Wilcox 

E. R. Bulson 
Alvin Decker 
O. D. Hawley 
J. McCosh 
O. A. Rowland 

F. B. Seymour 
P. H. Weaver 



Win. Brown 
Paul Dodge 
H. C. Hawley 
P. Munroe 
B. Patterson 
Geo. S. Seymour 
U. S. Wea^'er 
John D. Croy 
Nebraska Dodge 
J. P. Harley 
Niel McCallum 
A. L. Scott 
Chas. E. Strobridi; 



Burr Bettis 
A. W. Dowdell 
Nathan Heatli 
Benj. F. Moe 
Chas. Stark 
S. B. Stevenson 
R. S. Burt 
Horace Carbine 
Wm. Fleming 
Wm. C. Mull 
Chas. Newman 
Myron Stark 
Ezra Siiauldiiig 



S. y. Walker 



I 



AND BUSINESS MEN OF TO-DAY. 



171 



OCEANA niAPTER NO. 56, R. A. M. 

Located at Pentwater, was instituted on Feb. 11, 1868, with the 
foUowing charter members: 




Rev. 



]5. F. Doughty 
J. Boyiiton L. E. Payiu 

Since the oi'ganization of 
the Chapter there have been 
130 members. B.F. Dough- 
ty was the first High Priest 
and the following in order 
named have held that posi- 
tion: J. M.Rice, W.E.Dock- 
ry, L. G. Rutherford, and 
Fred Nielsen. 
The present officers ai-e: 
D. C. AVickhain, H. 1". 
Fieil Xiclsen, Kinj; 
.las Ci rover, fSeiibe 
K. Xii'kersoii, Treas. 
J. H. Houton, Recorder 
(i. AV. Iiiiiis, C. ol JI. 
K. H. Flasij;, 1'. S. 
The stated convocations 
of the Chapter are the third 
Monday of each month, at 
^lasonic Hall, Pentwater. 



FRED NIELSEN, P. H. 
C. \V. Deaiie L. I). Grove 



C. A. Noble 



C. Mason A. ]Mason 

E. \V. Wordeii 




D. C. WICKHAM, H. P. 



172 



OCEANA COUNTY PIONEERS 



The list of present members is as follows: 

W. E. Ambler Wm. H. Barry Hobert Brink 

Watson Ciirroll E. F. Coon 

Jacob Fisher G. A. Franibes 

G. W. Inuis Antlion Jensen 

C. L. Moody Jas. McClure 

Alva rainier W. A. Konnds 

F. W. Wilson Geo. Warner 

John Bloore Frank Binnie 

Chas. Conistock deo. Donaldson 



C. H. Chapman 
M. Ewald 
John Hagestrom 
A. E. McKinnon 
C. A. Noble 
John Thompson 
Chas. W. Brown 
Wm. H. Cheney 
John Fisher 
Wm. Hudson 
F. E. Moody 
A. Olesen 

O. H. Tayer 



R. Flanders 
Peter Jensen W. A. Knhn 

A. Z. Moore D. E. McClure 

J. W. Tollok F. J. Rnssell 

1). C. Wickham 



Wm. H. Browne 
O. H. Dean 
Jas. Grover 
Wm. Kuhn 
Fred Nielsen 
W. B. O. Sands 
J. H. Bouton 
E. D. Chittenden 
E. B. Flagg 
W. Myron Gardiner 
Nels Liljenberg 
E. Nickerson 
A. Sorensen 
Wm. Webb . 



OCEANA COUNCIL NO. 27, R. & S. M. 

Was instituted at Pentwater Feb. 3, 1869, and to the present 
time there have been 71 members. The Past T. I. M's are J.Boyn- 
ton, J. M. Rice, Fred Nielsen, W. E. Doclcry and D. C. Wickham. 
The present officers are: 
G. W. Imus, T. I. M. O. H. Dean, D. M. E. B. Flagg, P. C. W. 

Fred Nielsen, Treas. J. H. Bouton, Recorder W. E. Ambler, Capt. G. 

F. E. Moody, Con. of C. Jas. Grover, Steward I. N. Lewis, Sentinel 
The stated Assemblies are the second Mondaj^ of each month, in 
Masonic Hall, Pentwater. 
The present membershiiD is thirty-seven. 



ODDFELLOWSHIP. 

The fraternity of Odd Fellows at this time is very strong in Oce- 
ana County, yet it is but a few years since the organization of the 
first lodge at Hart in 1879. At that time it was with much difli- 
culty that the Grand Master could be prevailed upon to issue adis- 
pensation for the institution of that lodge, he being fearful that it 
could not live. Bro. H. J. Holmes, of Hart, has a letter from him 
in regard to the matter, in which he so expresses himself, giving as 
a reason for such fear that tlie county was too new to support a 
lodge. But the growth of Oddfellowshiphas been on n. j)ar with the 
growth of the county generally, and that is simply phenomenal. 
From the small beginning made at that time, a lodge of seventeen 
members, has grown the present strength of the order in the coun- 
ty, which is represented by six lodges in good working condition 
with an aggregate membership of 342, and owning property to the 
amount of thousands of dollars; besides two Encampments and 
four lodges of the Degree of Kebekah. 



41 



AND BUSINESS MEN OF TO-DAY. 



173 




H. J. HOLMES, 1st P. (A. 



OCEANA LODGE NO. 327. 

The first lodge in the county was organized at Hart, June 10, 
1879, with i\ve charter members 
as follows: 

H. J. Holmes 
A. Hoisin^ton 
Thomas Hull 
J. A. Collier 
Lorenzo Brooks 
After admitting a number of 
Ancient Odd Fellows and intiat- 
ing othei's, the following became 
the first officers of the lodge: 
H. J. Holmes, X. G. 
J. A. Collier, V. G. 
T. S. Gurney, Sec. 
A. Hoisington, Treas. 
Thomas Hull, W. 
Loren/.o Brooks, C. 
The Noble Grands in succession to the i)resent time have been 
as follows: 

H. J. Holmes, J. A. Collier, 
Andrew Hoisington, Lorenzo 
Brooks, T. S. Gurney, James 
McVean, C. A. Gurnej-, E. P. 
Wigton, R. W. Henderson, C. 
A. Campbell, A.Corliss, E. H. 
Hotchkiss, Robert Currie, L. 
C. Parnin, H. J. Servis, I. C. 
Ford, G. E. Mathews, C. B. 
Stevens, W. P. Sackrider, J. 
Clin, Alex. Wright, William 
Cooper, C. E. Croft", and E. T. 
INIugford. 

The present officers are: 

Robert Currie, N. G. 
Benj. Martin, V. G. 
W. P. Sackrider, Sec. 
H. J. Servis, P. Sec. 
J. A. Collier, Treas. 
John Clin, W. 
Wm. Cooper, C. 
E. T. Mugford, P. G. 




J. A. COLLIKR, 2nd p. G. 



174 



OfEAXA COUNTY PIONEERS 



The Lodge meets on Saturday evenings in their new hall, recent- 
ly purchased, in the 
Chadwick and Denni- 
son block. The lodge 
is well supplied with 
necessary regalia and 
other appurtenances, 
and has money in the 
treasury. The follow- 
ing is a list of mem- 
bers: 

E. E. Allen 
C. A. Adams 

F. Besensen 
E. L. Brooks 
Lorenzo Brooks 
S. A. Butts 
J. A. Collier 
C. A. Campbell 
J. A. Cole 
Wm. Cooper 
R. L. Crosby 
Edson Collins 
R. A. Chapin 




THliRON S. GUIINKY, 5th P. G 



Robert Cun-ie 
C. E. Ci-ofc 
Geo. Cooper 
Judson Collins 
Geo. Dennison 
T. Downing 
E. Dyer 
Jos. Evans 
Ed. Ervin 
W. T. Evans 
I. C. Ford 
A. W. French 
G. E. Franibes 
James Franklin 
R.Franklin 
E. A. Fuller 
C. A. Gurney 
T. S. Gurney 
E. S. Houghtaling 
M. Huftile 




C. A. GURNEY, 7th P. G. 



AND BUSINESS MEN OF TO-DAY. 



175 



J. D. S. Hanson 
R. W. Henderson 
Milton Hiles 
Frank Hitchcock 
A. Hoisington 
E. H. Hotclikiss 
H. S. Kinney 
John Knickerbocker 
Benjamin Martin 
James McVean 
L. D. Miller 
H. Miller 
Jesse Mills 
Charles Morgan 
E. T. INIngford 
Jolin Mugford 
John Olin 
Peter Nelson 
James Peckham 
A. M. Pringle 




H. J. SERVIS, loth p. G. 




'Te - ' nif)>" 



r. B. STEVENS, 18th p. Ci 

Wm. Wear 
C. K.Williams 
Alex. Wright 



L.C. Parnin 
J. A. Phillippo 
Ira Richmond 
C. B. Reamer 
J. W. Robinson 
A. Skillen 
H. J. Servis 
W. P. Sackrider 
Ed. Stansberg 
C. N. Sowers 
M. W. Satterlee 
W. A. Sanford 
C. B. Stevens 
W. N. Sayles 
N. G. Sayles 
Carl Schrumpf 
W. J. 6ervi.s 
A. W. Shufelt 
P. Thomas 
Jesse Tennant 
W. J. Towning 
A. J. Wright 
E. P. Wigton 



17G 



OCEANA COUNTY PIONEER.- 




l^^/fP"' 



W. P. SACKRIDER, 19th P. G. 




w:m:. COOPER, 22nd p. c^ 



AND BL'rflXESS MKN' OF TO-DAY. 




■^^^'■^fc'^"^^^ 



E. T. MTGFORJJ, 24:th P. G. 



HE.-PErUA LODGE NO. 334. 



Was organized at Hesperia, Nov. 20, 1879, with the following as 
charter members and first officers: 

W. S. Stevens, X. G. W. S. Millard, V. G. 

G. R. Boyer, Sec. Israel Clark, I. G. 

P. Munroe, Treas. 

The Xoble Grand.s to the pi'esent time have been as follow.s: W. 
S. Stevens, W. S. Millard, John Smith, Israel Clark, H. C. Hawle.y, 
G. R. Boyer, W. B. Chandler, L. E. Norton, J. B. Smith, J. Jack- 
son, W. C. Mull, John Ash. E. R.Haight, W.Balcom, E. J.Bennett, 
James Gordon, Galen Xorthrui). 
The present officers are: 
W. H. Turner, N. G. E. J. Philo, V. G. 

A. C. Eltridge, Sec. W. C. Mull, Treas. 

Israel Clark, P. Sec. G. Xorthrup, P. G. 

The lodge meets on Saturday evening in Odd Fellows' Hall, on 
the west side of Main Street. They own a lot which cost SI, 500 
and report S400 in funds. The number of members in good stand- 
ing on Jan. first was sixty-seven; the names we have not been able 
to secure. 



178 



OCEANA COUNTY PIONEERS 



SHELBY 

Dulling the summer of '80 
the few Odd Fellows resid- 
ing at Shelby, notably Geo. 
B. Getty and Otis A. Elli- 
ott, agitated the question 
of estabUshing a lodge there. 
After talking the matter 
over and seeing the different 
members of the order, a 
meeting was finally called 
at the Elliott House and 
steps were taken to organ- 
ize. As a result a lodge was 
instituted under dispensa- 
tion on Aug. 30, 1880, and 
a charter received Feb. 18, 
1881. Thefollowing became 
charter members: 

0. K. White 
W. H. Dunn 
W. F. Lewis 

1. B. Bowerman 
I. \\'interstien 



LODGE, NO. 344. 





w. F. LEWIS, 3rd p. Q. 
Chas. Babcock, Moses Burk, 



W. H. DUNN, 1st P. G. 

Geo. B. Getty 

Moses W. Burk 

D. W. Dodd 

Otis A. Elliott 
The first officers of the lodge 
were: 

W. H. Dunn, N. G. 

O. K. White, V. G. 

0. A. Elliott, Sec. 

Geo. B. Getty, P. Sec. 

Wm. F. Lewis, Treas. 

O. F. Hill, W. 

Moses Burk, C. 

Beer Pittenger, Chap. 
The following have held the 
office of Noble Grand in the 
order named: W. H. Dunn, 
O. K. Wliite, W. F. Lewis, O. 
F. Hill, C. P. Rathbone, Geo. 
B. Getty, Wm. Woodland, 
Milo H. Sweet, E. H. Cutler, A. E. 



AND BUSINESS MEN OF TO-DAV. 



179 



Souter, F. E. Reamei-, H. B. Hobby 
W. Newman, D. Flynn and J. A. Hav 




■''0ff^'' 



O. K. WHITE, 2nd p. G. 

Wallace Babcock 
F. J. Chalker 
W. L. Culver 
John Cramer 
Orrin Crowfoot 
W. H. Dunn 
Frank Deming 
J. D. Evans 
Daniel Flynn 
R. G. Forbes 
E. B. Gaylord 
Chas. Getty 
Geo. B. Getty 
H. J. Goodenrath 
M. A. Gilbert 
H. Hendrickson 
Dennis Hinchen 
H. B. Hobby 
H. W. Harpster 



, A. D. Rankin, T. H. Baker, F. 
rison. The ]present officers are: 

C. E. Abraham, N. G. 

F. M. Meyers, V. G. 

Elmer Tyler, Sec. 

M. Sargent, P. Sec. 

A. C. Kocher, Treas. 

H. B. Hobby, W. 

F. E. Reamer, C. 

J. A. Harrison, P. G. 

The lod£;e meets on Sat- 
urday evenings, in the Chur- 
chill and Phelps block, on 
Main street. The financial 
condition is good, having 
$.500 invested in supplies, 
and a surplus of §600. The 
membership Jan. 1, 1890, 
was as follows: 

C. E. Abraham 

J. E. Baker 

J. Beam 

T. H. Baker 

Fred Baker 

Eli Beam 

Warren Beam 




C. V. RATHBONE, 5th P. O. 



180 



OCEANA COUXTY PIONEERS 




GEO. B. GETTY, 6th P. G. 



J. A. Harrison 
H. Johnston 
A. C. Kocher 

E. Lambert 
A. A. Lewis 
W. F. Lewis 
Albert Lintz 
Albert Long 
W. F. Mitchell 
F.M. Meyers 
^larshall Meyers 
S. Matney 

F. W. Newman 
Jerry Pigeon 
A. M. Prosser 
Delos Prosser 
A. D. Rankin 
Chas. P. Rathbone 
Frank Roberts 
Peter Rankin 

F. E. Reamer. 
Robert Rowley 



D. A. Reed 
M. H. Sweet 
A. E. Souter 
J^. A. Shirts 
M. Sargent 
Bert Thiele 
Elmer Tyler 
Chas. VanWickle 
Wm. Woodland 
Chas. Wilson. 




WM. WOODLAND, 7th P. G. 



AND BUSIXESS MEN OF TO-DAY. 



181 




E. H. CTTLER, 11th P. G 




A. E. SOUTER, 12th P. G. 



182 



OCEAKA COUNTY PIONEERS 




^^f^- 



F. E. REAMER, 13th P. G. 




T. H. BAKER, 16th P. G. 



AND BUSINESS MEN OF TO-I)AV 



183 




J. A. HARRISON, 19th P. G. 




C. E. ABRAHAM, X. G. 



184 



OCEANA COUNTY PIONEERS 




F. M. MEYERS, V. G. 



PENTWATER LODGE NO. 378. 

Pentwater Lodge was organized April 27, 1883, with the follow- 




A. E. BURGESS, 2nd P. G. 



1 



AND BUSINESS MEN OF TO-DAY. 



185 



ing charter members: Daniel Calkins, A. E. Burgess, Otto Grant, 
C. J. Heath and W. S. Reed. 

The first officers were: 

D. Calkins, N. G. 

A. E. Burgess, V. G. 

L. M. Hartvvick, Sec. 

Otto Grant, P. Sec. 

W. S. Reed, Treas. 

Alvin Warner, W. 

Robert Venn, C. 

The following have 
held the office of Noble 
GrandfollowingD. Calk- 
ins, who served until 
Dec. 31, 1883: A. E. 
Burgess, L. M. Hart- 
wick, C. W. Cramer, G. 
O. Switzer, Otto Grant, 
Robert Venn, A. War- 
ner, M. F. Hyde, J. B. 
Steele, Thos. Morin, A. Jacobs and W. H. Tuller. 




L. M. HARTWICK, 3rd P. G. 




The present officers are: 

C. M. Underbill, N. G. 

W. E. Hodges, V. G. 

C. P. Barnard, Sec. 

M. F. Hyde, P. Sec. 

T. Morin, Treas. 

J. H. Bouton, W. 

Peter Jensen, C. 

W. H. Tuller, P. G. 
The lodge meets on Satur- 
day evenings in their own hall 
which is in the upper story 
of the Pentwater News 
block. The lodge owns the 
upper part ot the block and 
also the lot in the rear. It 
has besides this property 
about $500 in ready mon- 
ey. Probably no lodge in 
the county is better situat- 
ed than this lodge. 



186 



OCEAXA COUNTY PIONEERS 



The following were members Jan. 




G. O. SWITZER, 5th p. G 

C. W. Cramer 
E. B. Comstock 
0. F. Compton 
H. Cutler 

W. S. Dumont 
E. A. Daggett 
Peter Dreves 
G. V. Dunn 
T. Erickson 
Frank Girard 

D. B. Gardner 
M. H. Gannon 
M. D. Girard 
Otto Grant 
Wm. Hudson 
J. W. Hurley 
T. J. Haughey 
Jens Hanson 
Chas. Hitchcock 
L. M. Hartwick 
H. D. Hartwick 

E. W. Hodges 
Erie Huftile 
Gustav Hanson 
M. F. Hyde 



1, 1890: 

Chas. Anderson 
Sam'l Andrus 
J. Brookshes 
C. P. Benedict 
E. N. Briggs 
J. H. Bouton 
Niel Browne 
C. P. Barnard 
Aleck Browne 
Fred Brown 
J. H. Brill 
A. E. Burgess 
Peter Browne 
Clare Cross 
Jeff Cutler 
George Cook 
Thomas Carney 
A. Cutler 




OTTO GRANT, 6th P. G. 

W. E. Hodges 
Fred Hanson 



AND BUSINESS MKN OF TO-DAY, 



187 



Eddy O. Irons 
M. L. Johnson 
Peter Jensen 
A. Johnson 
A. Jacobs 
Wm. Klingbeil 
Harry Lodge 
David Mills 
W. R. Maxfield 
Ira Munson 
0. W. Marsh 
Charles Maynard 
Charles Martins 
Thos. Morin 
Theodore Merc 
Thomas ]\Ierriani 
A. L. Nichols 
Fred Nj^gaard 
A. M. Perkins 
Charles Palmer 




M. F. HYDE, 9th V. G. 




THOMAS MOKIN, 11th V. G 

Alvin Warner 
James Warrington 



Hans C. Peterson 

Cedric B. Randall 

8. E. Russell 

M. Routly 

W. A. Rounds 

John Reid 

W. L. Stoddard 

W. J. Sloan 

M. A. Sloan 

Fred Sorensen 

G. O. Switzer 

N. C. Smith 

James B. Steele 

Frelan Smith 

William H. TuUer 
Andrew P. Tnttle 
L. O. Tupper 
Chas. M. Underhill 
Robert Venn 
James Wright 
George Wright 
George Warrington 
John J. Wakefield 



188 



OCEAXA COUNTY PIONEERS 




'-^-,}ffr 



CHARLES M. UNDERHILL, N. G. 



CRYSTAL VALLEY LODGE NO. 386. 



Organized at Crystal Valley, April 29, 1887, started out with the 
following as charter members: 

Charles Comstock George Vine 

J. H. Beckwith F. A. Bristol 

Albert Kenyon 

The first officers were: 
J. H. Beckwith, N. G. Charles Comstock, V. G. 

A. Kenyon, Sec. F. A. Bristol, P. Sec. 

George Vine, Treas. 

J. H. Beckwith held the office of Noble Grand until Dec. 31, 1887, 
and the office has been filled as follows for term ending as follows: 
Chas. Comstock, June 30, 1888; F. A. Bristol, Dec. 31, 1888; J. H. 
Beach, June 30, 1889, and M. O.Fisher, Dec. 31, 1889. 
The present officers are as follows: 
Charles A. Lammon, N. G. W. G. Fisher, O. G. 

F. B. Kittridge, Sec. L. C. Brewster, P. Sec. 

Charles Comstock, Treas. 
The lodge meets on Saturday evenings at their hall in Crystal 



AND BUSINESS MEN OF TO-DAY. 



189 



Valley, which is owned by the lodge. Probably no lodge in the 
county can show a better record than this. Starting with but five 
charter members, in less than three years it has grown into a sub- 
stantial, flourishing lodge, with a niembershij) of 35, and this, too,, 
in a very small town. 

The names of the present 
members are as follows: 

A. 0. Aldrich 

Alex Amily 

F. A. Bristol 

J. Beckwith 

Oliver Barney, Jr. 

L. C. Brewster 

Charles Ballard 

H. M. Beadle 

J. H. Beach 

C. W. Brown 

J. Cleveland 

E. J. Cleveland 
Charles Comstock 

F. B. Comstock 

G. H. Darling 
Wm. Darling 
J. Demerest 
David Dunn 
Eugene Davis 
M. 0. Fisher 
Wm. G. Fisher 
Earl Fisher 
A. G. Hyatt 
C. A. Lammon 
E. S. Rogers 




M. O. FISHER, 5th p. G. 



Reno Fisher 
Albert Jones 
W. A. Mason 

Silas Steadman 



Elmer GafEord 
F. B. Kittridge 
Martin Nielsen 
George Vine 



Charles Willet 



Warren Willet 



STETSON LODGE, NO. 390. 

Was organized Sept. 5, 1889, at Walkerville, with the following 
charter members: T. J. Sherlock, Edwin Stansberry, B. F. Stone, 
J. ]\r. Tennant and Elisha North. 
The following were the first oHicers: 
B. F. Stone, N. G. T. J. Sherlock, V. G. 

J. M. Tennant, Sec. E. S. North, Treas. 

The present officers are: 
T. J. Sherlock, N. G. E. Stansberry, V. G. 

Raymond Ross, Sec. George North, Treas. 



190 



OCEANA COUNTY PIONEERS 



The meetings are held on Thursdays at Sherlock's Hall. The 
prospects for this lodge are good, and there is no reason 'why, lo- 
cated as it is, it should not increase and multiply. The member- 
ship is as follows: 

Robert Bunting Mr. Mosher George North 

E. S. North Mr. Perry Raymond Ross 

T. J. Sherlock Edwin Stansberry B. F. Stone 

Mr. Tuttle J. M. Tennant Hiram Webb Wm. Webb 



HART ENCAMPMENT, NO. 12 

Located at Hart, was organized on Jan. 31, 1881, by Grand 
Representative Norman Bailey, with the following charter members: 

J. A. Collier C. A. Gliuney T. S. Guiney A. Holsingtoii 

Jas. McVeau E. P. Wigtoii Diuiiel Calkins 

The first officers installed were: 



J. A. Collier, C. P. 
T. S. Giirney, S. 



A. Hoisington, S. W. 
C. A. Gurney, Treas. 



II. J. Holmes, H. P. 
Daniel Calkins, .J. W. 



The following have served as Chief Patriarchs in the order named: 
J. A. Collier, H. J. Holmes, T. S. Gurney, James McVean, J. A. Col- 
lier, C. A. Campbell, Alex. Wright, C. A. Gurney, A. Hoisington, Ira 
C. Ford, L. M. Hartwick, H. J. Servis, Robert Currie, John Olin, E. 
S. Houghtaling, W. P. Sackrider, Geo. Dennison, F. A. Scott and C. 
E. Croff. 
The loresent officers are: 

Itobeit Cunie, C. P. E. S. Houghtaling, S. W. 

W. V. Sackrider, S. H. .1. Servis, F. S. 

Jolin Olin, .J. W. 

The meeting nights are the first and third Thursdays of each 
month, in Odd Fellows' Hall. The encampment is well equipped, 
is clear of debt and has money in the ti'easury. The present mem- 
bers are as follows: 

T. H. Baker 

"\Vm. Cooper 

Ira C. Foi'd 

E. B. Gavlord 



C. K. Williams, H. 1'. 
J. A. Collins, Treas. 
W. J. Servis, I. S. 



S. A. Butts 
Robert Currie 
O. E. Croff 
T. S. Gurney 
A. Hoisington 
Clias. Morgan 
H. J. Servis 
M. H. Sweet 



L. Brooks 

A. Comstock 

Geo. Dennison 

M. H. Gannon 

R. W. Henderson E. S. HonghtalinL 



John Olin 

F. A. Seott 

W. P. Sackri 'er 



E. S. Rogers 
C. B. Stevens 
W. X. Sayles 



J. A. Collier 
Chas. Comstock 
C. A. Gurney 
H. J. Goodeuiath 
M. L. Johnson 
X. C. Smith 
W. L. Stodtiaril 
W. J. Ser\is 



E. C. Whitina 



C. K. Williams 



LAKESIDE ENCAMPMENT, NO 109 

Was organized at Pentwater, February 7th, 1887. A number of 
Pentwater brothers belonging to the Hart Encampment and find- 
ing it inconvenient to attend the meetings, hence decided to form 



AND BUSINESS MEN OF TO-DAY. 191 

an encampment at home. The encampment started with the fol- 

1 owing charter members: 

L. M. Hartwick AV. H. Tuller ('. AV. Cniincr Thomas Moiiii 

M. F. Hyde J. H. Beckwith Wm. Kliiigbeil CI. O. Swiuer 

The following were installed as the first officers: 

L. M. Hartwick, C. 1'. W. H. Taller, S. W. ('. W. Cramer, II. P. 

C. O. Switzer, S. M. F. Hyde, F. S. Thos. Moriii, Treas. 

J. H. Beckwith, J. W. J. B. Steele, (i. 

The Chief Patriarchs have been as follows, tor terms expiring on 
date named: L. M. Hartwick, June 30, '87; W. H. Tuller, Dec. 31, 
87; C. W. Cramer, June 30, '88; G. O. Switzer, Dec. 31, '88; T. Mo- 
rin, June 30, '89; M. F. Hyde, Dec. 31, '89. 

The following are the present officers: 

W. E. Hodges, C. P. Otto flraiit, S. AV. E. N. Briggs, H. P 

M. F. Hyde, S. t'ha.s. Anderson, F. S. W'm. Kliiigbeil, Treas. 

.1. B. Steele, .T. W. L. O. Tiipper, G. 

The encampment meets each alternate Tuesday evening in Odd 
Fellows Hall. It is well situated financially and otherwise, having 
all necessary working material and fine regalia. The present mem- 
bers are: 
Chas. Anderson .1. Brookshes Xiel Browne E. N. Briggs 

. I. H. Beckwith C.W.Cramer Peter Dreves Otto Grant 

1). B. (jardner F. Girard ISI. D. Girard W. E. Hodges 

L. M. Hartwick M. F. Hyde Eddy O. Irons A. Jacobs 

Wm. Kliiigbeil T. jVIero T. Moriii A. M. Perkins 

H. C. I'etersen S. E. Kussell F. Smith J. B. Steele 

(J. O. Switzer W. H. Tuller L. O. Tiiijper Geo. Warrington 

DEGREE OF REBEKAH. 

Integrity Lodge No. 58, D. of R. The first lodge organized in the 
county, was organized at Shelby on Oct. 14, 1882. The Noble 
Grands in succession have been, Wm. F. Lewis, Maria J. Gilbert, 
Geo. B. Getty, Jane E. Sweet, M. H. Sweet, A. Hoisington and Ida 
Ij. Reamer. The present Noble Grand is jNIrs. C. E. Wilson. The 
ijodge meets on the first and third Wednesday evenings of each 
month in Odd Fellows Hall. The jDresent membership is twenty- 
live. 

Deborah Lodge No. 93, D. of li. Was instituted at Pentwater, 
IMay 5, 1886, by P. G. ]M. Harrison Soule. The following persons 
have been Noble Grands: L. M. Hartwick, Mrs. Jennie Smith, 
Mrs. Mary I. Hyde, Mrs. Emma Briggs, Mrs. INIary E. Grant, and 
^liss Esther Browne (no\v*Mrs. Knapp). Present Noble Grand 
^Irs. Sarah Tuttle. Meetings are held on alternate Tuesday even- 
ings at Odd Fellows Hall. Present membership si.\ty-two. 

lUiby Lodge No. 109, D. of R. Organized March 26, 1888, at 
Crystal Valley. Past Grands are J. H. Beckwith, Mrs. C. A. Beck- 



192 



OCEANA COUNTY PIONEERS 



with, Mrs. L. C. Brewster, and Mrs. Ag^ie Barney. Present Noble 
Grand Libbie Cole. The meetings are held on alternate Tuesday 
evenings, at Odd Fellows Hall. Present membership forty. 

White River Valley Lodge No. 86, D. of R. Is located at Hes- 
peria. The present Noble Grand is Clara Mull. Membership sixtj^. 



GRAND ARMY POSTS. 




I 




COMMANDER DEPARTMENT OF MIClIiaAN, 1887, 



The old soldiers living in Oceana Counjty, following the example 
of others have banded themselves together for mutual benefit and 
assistance in case of need; and we find six well organized and flour- 
ishing Posts within its limits. There are also several ladies' Relief 
Corps and several Camps of Sons of Veterans. Following we give 



AND BUSINESS MEN OF TO-DAY 



193 




the leadiii}^ points of interest in regard to these organizations, with 
a list of the members of the Posts and Camps, ui the order of their 
organization . 

JOE MOOICEU POST NO. 20 

Is located at llart, and was organized Angnst 10. ISSl, with the 
following charter mem- 
bers: 

I. D. Reed 

J. H. Slater 

L. G. Rutherford 

W. R. Collier 

W. E. Thorp 

G. L. Crumb 

J. V. Cahill 

C. W. Slayton 

C. E. Croft- 

F. H. Edwards 

J. A. Collier 

Wm. J.'McRae 

Daniel Calkins 

Myron Hammond 

Chauncey Griswold 

L. C. Parnin 

W. H. Waters. w. e thoiu', 1st i*. com. 

The lirst officers of the Post were: 

W. E. Thorp, Com'd'r 

C. \V. Slayton, S. V. Com. 

I. D. Reed, J. V. Com. 

J. H. Slater, Adjt. 

J. V. Cahill, Q. M. 

W. R. Collier, Sur. 

G. L. Crumb, Chap. 

L. G. Rutherford. O. D. 

W. J. McRae. O. G. 

C. E. Croff, S. M. 

F. H. Edwards, Q. M. S. 
Mr. W. E. Thorp held the of- 
fice of Commander during the 
balance of the year '81, and al- 
so during '82-3 and 1. J. V. 
Cahill was Commander in '85; J. 
A. Collier, "86: J. H. Slater, •'ST; 
J. V. CAHILL, 2nd p. co.m'd'u. H. J. Holmes, '88, and D. C. 




194 



0CEA2JA COUNTY PIONEERS 



Wickham, '89. The present officers, mustertd at first meeting in 

JalUlarJ^ 1890, are: 

Geo. B. Dikeman, Com. 

F. H. Edwards, S. V. Com. 

W. A. Biirngs, J. V. Com. 

J. H. Slater, Adjt. 

II. J. Holmes, Q. M. 

P. H. Chappell, Sur. 

Geo. B. Rollins, Chap. 

J. B. Winans, O. D. 

(Jeo. Wells, O. G. 

J. A. Collier, S. M. 

M. A. Luther, Q. M. S. 

The Post meets at Odd Fel- 
lows Hall in the village of 
Hart, on the second and 
I'ouvth Mondays of each 
month. The financial condi- 
t ion of 1 he Post is good, and 
it stands as one of the most 
J. A. COT^LIER, 3rd p. com'd'r. Substantial and solid Posts 
of the county. 





'/; .- 



J. H. SLATER, Ith P. com'd'r. 



AND HL'SlNKrt.-; MKS OF TO-DAY. 



195 




H. .]. HOLMKS, 5tll P. COM'd'k. 




D. c. \vicKHA>r, Gth p. com'd'r. 

The following were membei-s, J;in. 1, '90: 

Co. ue;4t. 

E. E.Allen H 2 

J. W. Althouse A 3 

F. Besenson 1 59 

C. F. Ballon K 92 

S. S. Branch K 8 

J. C. Beddinger I 12 



state. 


Bran eh 


Ohio 


c. 


Mich. 




Ills. 




N.Y. 




Ohio 




Mich. 





196 OCEANA COUNTY PIONEEES 

Co. Rpfrt. State. Branch. 

W.A.Billings M 21 Pea. C. 

C. O. Bishop F 39 Wis. I. 

N. Benedict F 18 Mich. I. 

W\ R. Collier H 8 Mich. I. 

J. V. Cahill G 10 Wis. I. 

C. E. Croff C 17 Ills. C. 

.T.A.Collier B 115 N.Y. I. 

J. G. Cary Ind. Bat. Ohio L. A. 

B.F. Campbell C 18 Mich. I. 

P.H. Chappell H '20 Mich. I. 

C. A. Campbell K 2 Conn. H.A. 

Pat Corcoran H 2 N.Y. C. 

P. Carter I 7 Mich. I. 

G. B. Dikeman \ 151 N.Y. I. 

G. F. Dennison L E. tt M. Corps. 

F.H.Edwards 1 7 U.S. I. 

A.Evans C 3 Mich. L. A. 

A.Fletcher A 26 Mich. I. 

H. H. Feiaht E 138 Pa. I. 

W. H. Flory I 3 Mich. C. 

" K 8 Mich. C. 

A. Farmer K 13 Mich. I. 

C. Fletcher A 26 Mich. I. 

W. H. Fuller D 30 Mich. I. 

G.A. Frambes B 59 Ohio I. 

C. Griswold F 2 Ohio H.A. 

S.M.Gilbert D 83 Pa. I. 

Nelson Glover A 26 ]Mich. I. 

S.W.Gilbert B 83 Pa. I. 

L.L.Gardner K 2 U.S. C. 

H.J.Holmes G 10 Wis. L 

B.Holscher G 100 N.Y. L 

D. B. Hutchins D 111 N.Y. L 

Wm. Hobbs B 8 Wis. I. 

George Hill L 5 N.Y. C. 

L. A. Hammun A 28 Wis. I. 

J. Knickerbocker J) 9 Mich. I. 

M.A.Luther C 76 N.Y. I. 

T.M.Lander Bat K 2 Ohio A. 

A. H. Larnard V 6 Ohio I. 

H 23 Ohio I. 

W. J. McRae B.it. M 2 Ills. A. 

Gus May G 49 N.Y. L 

G. L. McCartv K 20 Wis. L 



AND BUSINESS MEN OF TO-DAY. 197 

Co. Kejit. State. J'.iaiioli. 

F. A, 3Iorton — 9 Ind. I. 

L. C. Parnin I 59 Ind. I. 

J. D. Painter I 12 Mich. I. 

A. Petrie H 21 N. Y. I. 

T. Pinder A 8 Ills. C. 

H. P. Parsons C 49 Mass. I. 

L. G. Rutherford H 189 X.Y. I. 

C. Richter D 8 Mich. I. 

G.R.Rollins B 100 Ind. I. 

R. W. Riddell F 120 N..Y. I. 

L. Renninger H 37 Ohio I. 

W. A. Rounds C 16 U.S. C. 

J. H. Slater K 83 Ills. I. 

R.L.Shaw I 1 Mich. C. 

Henry Sample I 28 Mich. I. 

Henry Sage A 107 Pa. I. 

R. R. Sanford G 1 Mich. S. S. 

O. W. Stever G 30 Wis. I. 

(). Stebbins D 98 N.Y. I. 

W.E. Thorp D 21 N.Y. I. 

George Tate A 7 Mich. I. 

C.W^ Taylor F 14 Ills. I. 

T.C.Turner A Ohio H. A. 

W. H.H.Turner C 153 Ind. I. 

H.D.Tucker E 7 Wis. A. 

S. Thorp F 118 Ind. I. 

J. R. Thompson F 4 Mich. C. 

J. B. Winans H 20 Ohio I. 

C.W. Weeks C 83 Pa. I. 

I). C. Wickhani H 129 N.Y. I. 

— 8 N.Y. A. 

George Wells D 60 N.Y. I. 

John Westbrook A 104 N.Y. I. 

A. Wasson K 84 Ind. I. 

J. A.Weyant K 19 N.Y. I. 

SHIELDS POST, NO. 68 

Was organized at Shelby, June 27, 1882, with the following char- 
ter members: 

G. W. Woodward V\'. II. Dunn Nathan Adams 

W. H. Churchill :\Ianly C. White Wm. H. Barry 

Hiram C. Morris E. F. Coon CJeo. B. Getty 

Win. ]M. Payne A. Fleming Sam'l Wright 

Peter Pasinger R. F. Ames 



198 



VCEA'SX COUNTY PIONEERS 




G. W. WOODWARD, Ist P. C. 



H. Eddy, 1889. 

The present officers are: 

L. D. Wildey, Com. 

Hiram C.Morris, S.V. Com. 

Dennis Hinchen, J. V. Com. 

J. D. Randall, Adjt. 

W. H. Barry, Q. M. 

N. B. Farnsworth, Sur. 

Sam'l Wright, Chap. 

Philo Penfield, O. D. 

A. Fleming, 0. G. 

Nathan Adan:is. S. M. 

Thos. Twining, Q. M. S. 

The Post meets on the lirst 
and third Mondays of eacli ; 
month, at Hedges' Hall, on 
Main street, Shelby. The 
standing of the Post is good, 
finances are in good shape 
and the interest of the mem- 
bers in its meetings is made 
apparent by the attendance. 



Thefirst officers of the Post 
were: 

G. W. Woodward, Com. 

W. H. Dunn, S. V. Com. 

Nathan Adams, J. V. Com. 

W. H. Churchill, Adjt. 

Manly C. White, Q. M. 

W. H.Barry, Sur. 

Hiram C. Morris, Chap. 

E. F. Coon, 0. D. 

G. B. Getty, 0. G. 

Jas. McKay, S. M. 

W. M. Payne, Q. M. S. 

The Commanders have been 
as follows during the years 
named: G. W. Woodward, 
1882; W. H. Dunn, 1883; W. 
H. Barry, 1884-5; Nathan 
Adams, 1886; D. O. Vaughn, 
1887; W. H. Dunn, 1888; G. 




W. H. DUNN, 2nd p. c. 



AXI) BUSINESS MEN OF TO-DAY. 



199 




V>'. H. BARRY, 3rd P. C. 







GEO. H. EDDY, 6th P. C. 



200 OCEANA COUNTY PIONEERS 

The following comprises the membership, Jan. 1, 1890: 

Co. Regt. State. Branch. 

Nathan Adams H 11 Mich. I. 

Ralph F.Ames F 151 Pa. I. 

W.H.Barry A 1 Mich. L. A. 

O.A.Brown I 20 Mich. I. 

Frederick Butzer F 24 N.Y. C. 

Alonzo Beckwith I 39 Wis. I. 

W.H.Churchill G 15 Mich. I. 

E. F.Coon I 99 N.Y. I. 

Wm. Compton E 6 Mich. C. 

JohnCurren H 21 :Mich. I. 

Francis Conroy C 12 Mich. I. 

A.L.Cobb B 1 Mich. E.&M. 

Jas. B. Dorrance C 11 ]Mich. C. 

David Dill F 5 Mich. C. 

G.H.Eddy D 33 N.Y. I. 

John Eaton A 21 Ohio I. 

Ezra Elliott B 8 Ills. C. 

A. Fleming H 11 Mich. C. 

W.H.Fleming K 1 Mich. I. 

H 11 Mich. C. 

C.W.Fisher C 3 Pa. C. 

N. B. Farnsworth B 9 Mich. I. 

A 19 Mich. I. 

George B. Getty D * 45 Pa. I. 

Leander Godfrey C 111 Pa. I. 

Dennis Hinchen B 97 N.Y. I. 

JohnW.Inman H 2 Ohio C. 

Orlow Inman C 176 Ohio I. 

Thomas Kelly I 8 N.Y. C. 

Edward Kinney E 1 Mich. E & M. 

James S. Knowlton B 1 Mich. L. A. 

Sam'l S.Lewis I 112 N.Y. L 

John Little A 1 Col. C. 

Hiram C. Morris H 107 N.Y. I. 

J.N.Marvin C 17 Ind. L 

Edward M. Moody A 110 N.Y. I. 

Joel W.Morse F 142 Ind. I. 

Geo. W. Morehouse j: 101 N.Y. I. 

Wm. M.Payne D 5 Mich. C. 

Peter Pasinger L 4 Mich. C. 

Alex. Pittinger K 8 Ohio I. 

Philo Penfield B 1 Ohio L. A. 

Francis A. Pitts M 10 Mich. C. 



AND BUSINESS MEN OF TO-DAY. 



201 



Co. 

B.G. Pen-in G 

J. D. Randall A 

LeGrand Rathbone D 

Edwin S. Randall C 

Wm. H. Reamer G 

Wm. P. Shafei- A 

Ransom Sabin H 

Stephen Stonehouse H 

J. P. Smith G 

" A 

Thos. Twining F 

Ross Vradenburg F 

G. W. Woodward D 

G 

Samuel Wright F 

Jeptha Wright B 

B.^S. Wade F 

L. D. Wildey C 

Simeon R. Wright G 



Regt. 


State. 


Branch 


100 


Pa. 


I. 


13 


Mich. 


I. 


11 


Mich. 


c. 


13 


Mich. 


I. 


24 


N.Y. 


T. 


26 


Mich. 


I. 


2 


Mo. 


C. 


27 


Mich. 


I. 


2 


Mich. 


c. 


10 


Mich. 


c. 


57 


Ohio 


I. 


1.5 


Mich. 


I. 


1 


Mich. 


E.&M. 


21 


Mich. 


I. 


14 


Ind. 


I. 


12 


Ind. 


C. 


13 


Mich. 


I. 


18 


Mich. 


I. 


17 


Mich. 


I. 



R. M. JOHNSON POST, NO. 138 



Located at Ferry, was organized in ^fay, 1883, with the follow- 
ing named persons as charter 
members: 

John Archer 
Daniel Landon 
Alvin B. Decker 
Benjamin F. Archer. 
John M. Heim 
Simeon R. Wright 
Theodore P. Landon 
Henry Dodge 
A. W. Sparks 
J. ]\r. Keeney 
A. Eitniear 
The Post was mustered by 
W. E. Thorp, of Hart, and 
the following were elected as 
the first ofiicers: 
John Archer, Com. 
T. P. Landon, S. V. Com. 
Henry Dodge, J. V. Com. benj. p. archer, 1st p. c. 




202 



OCEANA COUNTY PIONEERS 




J. M. Keeney, Adjt. 

Dan'l Landon, Q. M. 

A. W. Sparks, Chap. 

John M. Heim, S. M. 

Jos. Mallison, Q. M. S. 

These officers held their of- 
fices during 1883-4. Benja- 
min F. Archer was Command- 
er in '85; Theodore P. Lan- 
don in '86; E. O. Peck in '87; 
B.F.Archer again in '88, and 
Geo. W. Newton was elected 
for '89 but held only a short 
time when he resigned, and 
Orrin Weiswell was elected 
and served the balance of the 
term. The following took 
their offices in Jan., '90: 

Paul Dodge, Com. 

T. P. Landon, S. V. Com. 



E. o. PECK, 3rd p. c. 

J. M. Heim, J. V. Com. 
W. R. Matthews, Adjt. 
Henry Dodge, Q. M. 
Frank Dunn, Chap. 
B. F. Archer, O. D. 
A. B. Decker, O. G. 



The Post meets on the first X'S/^ ^li^ 

and third Saturdays of each i'lf^f) <Z.^^^ 

month in Heim's Hall. The ^mk*''^'^ 

members take a lively inter- _^ J ^miVK ^^)^ 

est in the affairs of the Post, -^'^^^i'^^^^^'^hX^ '^15 

the meetings are well attend- j^ ^^^m ^K^ \\§i ll^^l^^^ 

ed and the general condition ^^ '^mslmk J^^^^ 

of the Post, financial and ^ 

otherwise, is good. ^)SS^^Bir/'7/A MmssiMmiSSSi^^^x-'' 

The following were members x^^^»^ ^n«M^^^^*:' 

Jan. 1, 1890: ^ 

ORRIN WEISWELL, 4th P. C. 

Co. Eept. State. Branch. 

John Archer G 1 Mich. I. 

Benj. F. Archer G 4 Mich. C. 

Samuel Apple L 99 Ohio I. 




AKD BUSINESS MEN OF TO-DAY. 



203 



Co. 

J. H. Critcbett A 

Alvin Decker M 

Henry Dodge G 

Paul Dodge H 

Frank Dunn N 

A. H. Dickerson E 

A. Eitniear K 

H. Frees A 

Samuel Frees A 

E. M. Fessenden I 

J. M. Heim G 

D. S. Hindes F 

Levi Joslin K 

Hiram Keech F 

T. P. Landon I 

Joseph Loomis F 

James Mendham E 

W. R. Matthews C 

Joseph ^Nlallison H 

George W. Newton I 

James Osborne M 

P. W. Parish F 

Chas. Royle H 

A. W. Sparks I 

S. B. Stephenson E 

Orrin Weiswell D 

Jacob Williamson I 

Jesse Walker H 



Ite^t. 


Stiito. 


IMancli. 


100 


Ind. 


I. 


9 


Mo. 


C. 


1 


Mich. 




99 


Ind. 




2 


N.Y. 


B. 


7 


Mich. 




169 


Ohio 




100 


Ind. 




100 


Ind. 




105 


Pa. 




38 


Ohio 




5 


Mich. 




2 


Ohio 


B. 


14 


X.Y. 




2 


Pa. 




4 


Ohio 




7 


Mich. 




11 


Mich. 




11 


Mich. 




20 


N.Y. 




2 


Mich. 




5 


Jklich. 




9 


^Vis. 




3 


Mich. 




19 


Mich. 




1 


3Iich. 




91 


N.Y. 




21 


Ohio 





cjen'l sill post, no. 299 



Located at Crystal Valley, was organized March 7, 1885, with 
the following charter members: 
T. T. Jones Alva Darling Wilson Cole 

A. O. Aldrich M. Huff ^ E. W. Chadwick 

J. H. Beach E. F. Avery Wni. H. Poe 

S. W. Steadman D. F. Cummins Ale.\ A)nily 

Ira Puffer. 
The first oflicers of the Post were: 

T. T. Jones, Commander. Alva Darling, S. V. Com. 

Wilson Cole, J. V. Com. E. F. Avery, Adjt. 

A. O. Aldrich, Q. M. W. H. Poe, Sur. 

J. H. Beach, Chap. E. W. Chadwick, 0. D. 

M. Hufif, 0. G. S. W. Steadman, S. M. D. F. Cummins, Q. M. S. 



204 



OCEANA COUNTY PIONEERS 



T. T. Jones held the office of Commander for three years, and J. 

H. Beach for two years. The 
present officers are: 

Ira Puffer, Commander. 

Jay Whittaker, S. V. Com. 

Stephen Manly, J. V. Com. 

S. W. Steadman, Adjt. 

J. H. Beach, Q. M. 

Wm. H. Poe, Sur. 

E. F. Avery, Chap. 

T. T. Jones, 0. D. 

D. F. Cummins, O. G. 

D. P. Kelly, S. M. 

A. 0. Aldrich, Q. M. S. 

The Post meets on the sec- 
ond and fourth Thursdays of 
each month at Crystal Val- 
ley. The finances are in good 
shape and the Post is gener- 
ally x^rosxDerous. 




T. T. JONES, 1st p. C. 



The following is a list of the present membership: 

Co. Eegt. State. Braneli. 

A. O. Aldrich K 182 Ohio I. 

E.F.Avery G 70 Ills. I. 

Alex. Amily A 26 Mich. I. 

J. H. Beach I 1 Mich. L. A. 

David Beadle F 1 Mich. L. A. 

Wilson Cole F 11 Pa. C. 

E. W. Chadwick E 1 Ind. H.A. 

D. F. Cummms C 11 Mich. C. 

E 11 Mich. I. 

Alva Darling G 20 Mich. I. 

David Demerest I 1 Mich. L. A. 

M. Huff C 13 Mich. I. 

T.T.Jones B 4 Mich. I. 

D.P.Kelly E 1 Mo. Eng. 

Stephen Manly E 13 Mich. I. 

W. H. Poe F 1 Mich. L. A. 

Ira Puffer K 19 Mich. I. 

Richard Roberts G 3 N.Y. C. 

S.W. Steadman C 21 Mich. I. 

Jay Whittaker H 15 Mich. I. 

Smith Welch H 50 N.Y. Eng. 



AND BUSINESS MEN OF TO-DAY, 



20^ 



JOHN P. REYNOLDS POST, NO. 52 

Was organized at Pentwater, Oct. 22, J 887, with sixteen cliartor 
members, as follows: 

C. O'Brien 
E. Nickerson 
George Warrington 
H. C. Hart 
Edward Brooker 
E. D. Mathews 

D. Swarthout 
J. E. Hall 
A. Jacobs 
C. B. Randall 
O. H. Dean 
Philo Barnard 
Wm. Buchanan 
A. J. Underbill 
H. H. Bunyea 
T>. B. Gardner 





A. J. UNDERHILL, 2nd P. C. 

G. V. Dunn, J. V. Com. 
W. S. Dumont, Q. M. 



c/' 



E. NICKERSON, Ist P. C. 

The first oflicers were as 
follows: 

E. Nickerson, Com'd'r. 
A. J. Underhill,S.V.Com. 
O. H. Dean, J. V. Com. 
H. H. Bunyea, Adjt. 

D. B. Gardner, Q. M. 
Geo. Warrington, Sur. 
J. E. Hall, Chap. 

A. Jacobs, O. D. 
^ C. O'Brien, O. G. 
C. B. Randall, S. M. 
Philo Barnard, Q. M. S. 

E. Nickerson filled the of- 
fice of Commander in 1887- 
8, and A. J. Underbill in 
1889. The officers muster- 
ed in 1890 were as follows: 

H. H. Bunyea, Com'd'r. 

A. D. Maxfield, S. V. Com. 
William E. Gill, Adjt. 
H. C. Hart, Sur. 



206 OCEANA COUNTY PIONEERS 

:\r. L. :\Iarvin, Chap. E. N. Briggs, O. D. 

Wni. K abler, O. G. O. H. Dean, Q. M. S. 

On Jan. 24, 1890, this Post was called to mourn the loss of its 
Adjutant, Wm. E. Gill, who was summoned to answer to the last 
roll call in that commonwealth where battlefields are forgotten and 
peace reigns forever. 

This Post meets on the second and fourth Wednesdays of each 
month in G. A. R. Hall in the Mears block. The general condition 
the Post is good. 
The following were members Jan. 1, 1890: 

Co. Kc'gt. state. Branch. 

H. H.Bunyea B 10 Mich. C. 

E.N. Briggs A 9 Mich. C. 

B. F. Browning C 122 Ohio I. 

Wm. Buchanan I 42 Mo. I. 

Edward Brooker 60 Ball. Vet. R. Corps. 

Philo Barnard D 105 Ohio I. 

Wm. Coppell — 3 U. S. I. 

O.H. Dean A 21 Mich. I. 

W. S. Dumont C 2 Vet. R. Corps. 

G.V.Dunn K 81 Ind. I. 

D.B.Gardner D 166 Ohio I. 

F.O.Gardner E 10 Ohio C. 

E. S. Griswold C 3 Mich. I. 

W.E.Gill K 4 Mich. I. 

James Greer C 97 Ohio I. 

H.C.Hart I 14 Ohio I. 

J.E.Hall K 22 Vt. R. C. 

J. W. Hurley K 3 N.Y. C. 

M. Huftile F 100 Ohio I. 

J.C.Harrison C J22 Ohio I. 

George Holton — 16 Mich. I. 

A.Jacobs E 151 N.Y. I. 

J. C. Jacob K 35 Pa. I. 

W. F. Kahler C 97 Ohio I. 

Peter Labonta C 14 Mich. I. 

Edward Mathews K 35 Wis. I. 

•A.Mathews C 1 AVis. H.A. 

A. D. Maxfield F 14 Mich. I. 

M.L.Marvin F 13 Mich. I. 

E. Xickerson E 3 Mich. I. 

C. O'Brien H 1 Pa. H,A. 

M.S. Perkins M 11 Mich. C. 

A. H. Palmer C 48 Ind. I. 

C.B.Randall K 8 Wis. I. 



26 


Mich. 




87 


Ills. 




8 


N.Y. 


C. 


14 


Ohio 




-i 


Mich. 




2G 


Mich. 




1 


Oliio 


H.A. 


18 


Mich. 





AND BUSINESS MEN OF TO-DAY. 207 

Co. K('Kt. State. Rraucli. 

I). C. Reed H 8 Mich. Bat. 

James Roddy A 

W. B. O. Sands I 

D. Swarthout F 

A . Savige G 

T. TenvilHger E 

A. J. Underhill A 

Geo. Warrington Mar. 

X. B. Wilson L 

E. A. Wright G 

DAN. LANDON POST, NO. 397 

Was organized at Walkerville, Dec. 20, 1888. The Post meets on 
the second and fourth Saturdays of each month. G. W. North was 
the first Post Commander and has held the position to the present 
time. The present officers are: 

G. W. North, Commander. Samuel Bowles, S. V. Comdr. 
V. Carpenter, J. V. Comdr. Jas. Carter, Q. M. 
W^ B. DeLong, Chap. W. M. Wicks, O. D. 

David Carter, 0. G. Ezra Woodward, S. M. 

A. J. Painter, Q. M. S. 
The following is a list of the members, Jan. 1, 1890: 

Co. llvgt. state. Brancli. 

Geo. Anson H 13 :\Iich. I. 

Samuel Bowles D 86 N.Y. I. 

Stephen Beebe H 4 Pa. I. 

David Carter D 7 Mich. I. 

J.E.Carter F 1 Mich. Eng. 

V.E.Clark D 9 N.Y. I. 

V. Carpenter G 126 Ohio I. 

VV. DeLong I 12 Mich. I. 

Geo. Inman K 40 Iowa I. 

T. J. Knowles I 1 U. S. Vet. Eng. 

Lucius M. Keyes ; E -4 Mich. C. 

A.O.Lowe H 7.5 Pa. L 

M. V. Leach C 1 N.Y. L. A. 

B. F. :Mc.Mahon F 30 Ind. I. 

Wm. McDonalls F 88 Ind. L 

Hiram Mack F 140 N.Y. I. 

Geo. W. North I 177 Ohio I. 

A. J. Painter F 25 Mich. I. 

Wm. Rumsey H 13 Mich. I. 

David Stafford D 83 Pa. I. 



208 OCEANA COUNTY PIONEERS 

Co. Kest. State. Burncli. 

Win. Spoon B 10 Mich. C. 

Levi Vaughn C 33 N.Y. I. 

H 39 N.Y. I. 

W. M. Wicks U. S. S. Iosco. 

Ezra Woodward D 68 N.Y. I. 

MARK SATTERLEE CAMP, NO. 28— S. O. V. 

Of Hart, was organized Jan. 8, 1886, with the following charter 
members: C. A. Gurney, J. W. Landon, W. R. McRae, Chas. Wil- 
liams, Wni. Griswold, W. H. Chappell, M. W. Satterlee, Frederick 
Fowler, Chas E. Summers and Albert Akin. 

The first officers were: C. A. Gurney, Capt.; Chas. Williams, 1st 
Lieut.; M. W. Satterlee, 2nd Lieut.; J. W. Landon, 1st Sergt.; W. 
R. McRae, Q. M. Sergt.; Wm. Griswold, Chap.; W. H. Chappell, 
Sergt. of G.; Frederick Fowler, Color Sergt.; C. E. Summers, Camp 
G.; Albert Akin, Picket G. 

M. W. Satterlee was Captain in 1887; John W. Landon in 1888, 
and W. H. Chappell in 1889. 

The present officers are: A. H. Landon, Cajjt.; Calvin Hobbs, 1st 
Lieut.; J. W. Laudon, 2nd Lieut.; W. F. Dennison, 1st Sergt.; F.M. 
Sage, Q. M. Sergt.; W. H. Chappell, Chap.; F. J. Hutchins, Sergt. of 
G.; J. M. Landon, Color Sergt.; Chas. Hobbs, Camp G.; Wm. Mills, 
Picket G. 

The members Jan. 1, 1890, are as follows: C. A. Gurney, J. W. 
Landon, Wm. R. McRae, Wm. Griswold, W. H. Chappell, C. E. Sum- 
mers, J. M. Landon, E. L. Luther, Calvin Hobbs, A. H. Landon, F. 
J. Hutchins, W. W. Huftile, Fred Taylor, Henry Huftile, Edmund 
Hart, Geo. Wolf, J. H. Creviston, Alfred Tate, G. A. Tate, W^m. J. 
INIills, F. M. Sage, W. F. Dennison, Alvah Beach, Elmer Beach, 0. 
W. Wolf, F. W. Edwards, H. A. Hutchins, Geo. W. Kelly, Ira C. 
Carter, W. G. Hardy, C. H. Hobbs, E. A. Mack, W. H. Mack, S. S. 
Hersey and Jas. E. Carter. 

The Camp meets on the second and fourth Fridays of each month 
in Odd Fellows' Hall. The financial condition of the Camp is good. 
Its members take an interest in the meetings, and altogether it is a 
flourishing organization. 

MARVIN GII.SON CAMP NO 60— S. O. V. 

Located at Shelby, was organized on the 30th daj' of Aug., 1886, 
with the following charter members: 

F. H. Randall, Arthur Adams, Chas. E. Getty, Geo. W. Rogers, 
Edward Fleming, Frazier Bulkley, C. C. Fisher, Carlos Eddy, G.H. 



AND BUSINESS MEN OF TO-DAY, 209 

Woodward, Wni. Ames, W. F. Gillett, II. J. Goodenrath, DeEstian 
Coinpton, Guy Vaughn. 

The first officers were: H. J. Goodeni-ath, Capt.; C. E. Getty, 1st 
Lieut.; Wm. Ames, 2nd Lieut.; F. H. Randall, 1st Sergt.; G. H. 
Woodward, Q. M. Sergt.; Frazier Bulkley, Chap.; Guy Vaughn, 
Sergt. of G.; Geo. W. Rogers, Color Sergt.; W. F. Gilbert, Camp G.; 
DeEstian Compton, Picket CJ. 

H. J. Goodenrath was Captain in 1887; Chas. E. Getty in 1888; 
Arthur Adams in 1889, and the present officers are: D. C. Oakes, 
Capt.; Peter Eddy, 1st liieut.; Frazier Bulkley, 2nd Lieut.; Fred 
Smith, J St Sergt.; Ed. Morris, Q. M. Sergt.; Geo. Rogers, Chap.; A. 
Adams, Sergt. of G.; F.H. Randall, Color G.; Fred Sabin, Picket G.; 
Wilber Adams, Cor. G. 

The following was the membership on Jan. 1, 1890: Arthur Ad- 
ams, Wilber Adams, Frazier Bulkley, Vene Barber, H. Compton, 
Chas. Churchill, Peter Eddy, C. C. Fisher, Edward Fleming, Chas. 
E. Getty, D. C. Oakes, DeForest Payne, Frank H. Randall, Chester 
Robbins, Geo. Rogers, Frank Scoville, Fred Sabin, Fred Smith, C. 
C. Twining, Chas. Vradenburg, J. C. Wade, H. J. Goodanrath, Ed. 
Morris. 

The Camp meets on the first and third Wednesdays of each 
month at Hedges' Hall. It is in good financial condition and pros- 
j)ering. 

We append the following as many of the members reside in this 
county: 

-JOHN A. DIX POST, NO. 9 

Located at Hesperia, was oi'ganized and mustered Oct. 11, 1879, 
with the following charter members: 

W. C. Simmons, Robt. Binns, A. H. Deits, 

N. D. Holt, F. R. McKeen. 

Mr. W. C. Simmons was the first Commander, holding the office 
until 188G, when H. E. Waterman held for one year, and W. C. Sim- 
mons again until Jan. 1, 1890. The i)resent officers are: 
A. M. Phelps, Comdr. Amasa Deits, S. V. Com. 

W. H. Potter, J. V. Com. H. E. Waterman, Adjt. 

G. S. Carlisle, Q. M. Chas. Hess, Surg. 

J. J. Howell, Chap. C. R. Reynolds, O. D. 

J. R. Wyman, O. G. Geo. Robbins, S. M. 

Wm. Gilbert, Q. M. S, 
The Post meets every alternate Saturday evening at G. A. R. 
Ilali, over L. E. Norton's drug store on the Newaygo side of Main 



210 OCEAXA COUNTY PIONEERS 

street, at 7:30 o'clock. The Post is in good condition. The follow- 
ing were members Jan. 1, 1890: 

Co. Eegt. State. Branch. 

W. I. Bullson G 2 Mich. C. 

Geo. R. Boyer B 1 Mich. E.&M. 

G.S.Carlisle E 9 Mich. C. 

A. H. Deits G 8 Mich. I. 

W.Davis D 16 Wis. I. 

Jas. Frink K 12 Vt. I. 

E. M. Fessenden I 105 Pa. I. 

Wm. Gilbert I 7 Mo. C. 

N.D.Holt K 133 N.Y. I. 

E. R. Haight B 3 Mich. J. 

J. J. Howell I 10 Mich. C. 

M.W.Holmes G 27 Mich. I. 

T. C. Haynor B 12 Ills. I. 

Chas. Hess F 35 N.Y. I. 

H.C.Jenny D 4 Mich. C. 

L. P. Jacquay D 129 Pa. I. 

S. Kempfield I 11 Mich. J. 

A. Knowles B 105 Ohio I. 

G. W. Kenyon B 4 Mich. I. 

Thos. Lockard D 44 Ills. I. 

I. A.Labert 2 Wis. A. 

F. R.McKeen C 2 Me. I. 

A.C.Martin F 4 Iowa I. 

M. T^r. Mansfield B 8 Mich. I. 

A.M.Phelps K 4 Mich. C. 

W.H.Potter E 3 Mich. C. 

Geo. Robbins D 186 N.Y. I. 

W. C. Simmons B 5 Iowa C. 

E. Spaulding H 6 Mich. C. 

G. Townsend A 6 Mich. C. 

J. R. Wyman C 2 Mich. C. 

H. E. Waterman I 186 N.Y. I. 

AVILL B. CHANDLER CAMP, NO. 114 

Located at Hesperia, v»'as organized Nov. 4, 1887, with the fol- 
lowing as charter members: R.E.Bennett, J. B. Robbins, G.L. Barn- 
hart, J. L. Gilbert, W. E. Wyman, E. L. Haynor, J. H. Dailey, W. 
W. Robbins, A. E. Howell, Oglive Morton, J. F. Kempfield, Ralph 
Carlisle, C. B. Mansfield, H. J. Phelps, H. E. Phelps, Elmer Carlisle, 
Wm. Webster, G. Kempfield, F. W. Tillotson and B. W. Robbins. 

The firot officers were: R. E. Bennett, Capt.; J. B. Robbins, 1st 



AND BUSINESS MEN OF TO-DAY. 211 

Lieut.; G. L. Barnhart, 2nd Lieut.; J.Gilbert, 1st Sei-gt.; R.Car- 
lisle, Chap.; J.H. Dailej-, Sergt. of G.; J.Kempfield, Color Sergt.; W. 
E. Wyman, Camp G.; H. E. PheliJS, Picket G. 

R. E. Bennett held the office of Captain until the lore.sent year. 
The present officers are: G. L. Barnhart, Capt.; A. E. Howell, 1st 
Lieut.; Elmer Carlisle, 2nd Lieut.; B. W. Robbins, 1st Sergt.; E, R. 
Parkton, Q. M. Sergt.; L. Gilbert, Chap.; R. Carlisle, Sergt. of G.; J. 
Kempfield, Color Sergt.; W. Wyman, Camp G.; H. E. Phelps, Picket G. 

The following is a list of members Jan. 1, 1890, viz.: R. E. Ben- 
nett, G. L. Barnhart, J. L. Gilbert, L. T. Gilberc, W. E. Wyman, E. 
L. Haynor, J. H. Dailey, W\ W. Robbins, B. W. Robbins, C. C. 
Mansfield, A. E. Howell, J. H. Kempfield, Elmer Carlisle, Ralph 
Carlisle, H. J. Phelps, H. E. Phelps, E. R. Parkton, Ezra Spauld- 
ing, Warren Spaulding, Sherman Davis, John Dunn, John White- 
head, Cieo. McGahn, Hollis Hoi^kins, Fred Darlington, Geo. Rosier, 
Rodolph Kinney, S. S. Radley and Lyman Spaulding. 

The Camp meets each alternate Saturday evenins;, at seven 
o'clock, in Grange Hall, over drug store of L. E. Norton. The 
Camp is in a flourishing condition and as an auxiliary to the Post 
is doing its part in relieving the distress of veterans and their fam- 
ilies. 

OCEANA COUNTY VETERAN ASSOCIATION. 

There had been in existence for a number of years an organiza- 
tion known as the "Oceana County Soldiers' and Sailors' Union." 
On March 13, 1880, a meeting was called at the Court House in 
Hart, the Pi-esident of the Union, Dr. J. B. McPherson, occupying 
the chair, when the old organization was abandoned and a new one 
formed under the name of the "Oceana County Veteran Associa- 
tion." The object of this Association is to bring old soldiers and 
sailors together, thus creating a closer relation and more fraternal 
feeling among them. The first officers elected were: D. C. Wickham, 
President; J. B. McPherson, Vice President, with eight others; W. 
E. Thorp, Sec'y, and A. J. Underbill, Treasurer. At this first meet- 
ing one hundred and fifty-seven soldiers and sailors joined the As- 
sociation. In August, 1880, another meeting was held, at which 
time G. W. Woodward was elected President, and H. J. Holmes, 
Vice President. At a meeting held Nov. 10, 1881, W. E. Thorp be- 
came the President, and E. F.Coon, Vice President. Au<:. 16, 1882, 
a meeting was held at Camp Houk, which name, however, was not 
given to the grounds until the following year. At this meeting the 
same officers were elected. The next meeting occurred Aug. 81, 
1883, at the place which was then named Camj) Houk. The offi- 
cers elected were: E. F. Coon, President, and Daniel Landon, Vice 
President. The annual meetings have since been held each time at 



212 OCEANA COUNTY PIONEERS 

Camp Honk. Aug. 29, 1884, the same officers were elected. Aug. 
28, 1885, T. G. Houk, President, and Nathan Adams, Vice Presi- 
dent, were elected. Sept. 3, 1886, the same officers were elected. 
At this meeting it was decided to purchase the land ui^on which 
the Association had been meeting, and in pursuance of this I'esolu- 
tion the Trustees purchased the northeast quarter of the north- 
east quarter of section thirty-two of the township of Elbridge, for a 
consideration of three hundred dollars. At the annual meeting, 
Sept. 3, 1887, Nathan Adams was elected President, and Alva Dar- 
ling, Vice President. Aug. 31, 1^:88, W. H. Barry become Presi- 
dent, and J. R. Thompson, Vice President. July 5, 1889, Geo. B. 
Dikeman, of Weare Township, was elected President; Geo. H. Ed- 
dy, of Shelby, Vice President; J. A. Collier, of Hart, Secretary and 
Treasurer; D. C. Wickhani, Pentwater, W. R. Collier, Elbridge, W. 
H. Barry, Shelby, Trustees, they being the officers at the present 
time. The present membership is eighty-nine. 

The meetings of the Association have been very successful and 
among the residents of the county, not only soldiers but civilians, 
the annual reunions have been very enjoyable affairs. The Asso- 
ciation has laid out considerable money upon the grounds and they 
are fast becoming a favorite resort in the county. 



PATRONS OF INDUSTRY 

OF NORTH AMERICA, 

Were organized by F. W. Vertican, in Port Huron, Mich., and the 
first Subordinate Association was organized in 1887, at Port Hu- 
ron, Mich. Jan. 1, 1889, there were 270 Associations with a mem- 
bership of 20,000. Jan. 1, 1890, there were 1,600 Associations 
with a membership of 100,000. The first Association m Oceana Co. 
Avas organized in Sept., 1889, and the last meeting of the County 
Association, held at Shelby, Jan. 29, 1890, there were 28 Subordi- 
nate Associations in the county, with a membership of 1545. The 
officers of the County Association are: President, W. F. Lewis; 
Secretary, J. R. Grant; Treasurer, L. L. Taylor. 

The object of the P. of I. is the protection and education of the 
farmers and laboring men not included in trades unions, and the 
growth of the Society has no parallel in American history. 

The Pations' Mutual Fire Insurance Co. of Oceana, Newaygo and 
Muskegon Counties, was organized June 30, 1876, with headquar- 
ters at Fremont, Mich., and is commonly known as the Farmers' 
Insurance Company. 



AND BUSINESS MEN OF TO-DAY. 



213 



Ciipital 
or Aiiit. 
Insured. 



No. No. Ass'ts. Ni).» 

Years. Losses. Ass'ts. in Mills. Members. 

1876 105 $ 130,860 

1877 242 315,445 

1878 421 531,401 

1879 1 1 2 549 711,021 

1880 7 1 1 640 856,841 

1881 1 733 1,020,591 

1882 2 837 1,214,296 

1883 10 1 1 940 1,424,229 

1884 10 2 4 1018 1,506,665 

1885 6 1091 1,589,036 

1886 15 2 3 1194 1,791,336 

1887 9 1 1 1255 1,905,210 

1888 7 1 2 1372 1,984,687 

1889 10 1 1 1648 2,157,423 

The President is Jolin Barnhart, of Hesperia; Secretary, A. O. 
White, of Fremont; Directors for Oceana Co., C. A. Sessions, L. Mc- 
Callum and R. E. Southwicl:. 

The Company has been very successful in its business transac- 
tions, and lias done business for fourteen years without ]iti<jation. 




CHAPTER XIII. 



REPRESENTATIVE AND JUDICIAL. 



The territory of which Oceana County has formed a part has 
been represented in Congress since 1865 by four persons, three of 
whom secured national reputations. The first was the 
Hon. Thomas W. Ferry, son of the Rev. Wm. Ferry, the pioneer 
lumberman of the county. Mr. Ferry was always a leader, and on 
several occasions while occupying important XDOsitions he demon- 
strated his ability and statesmanship to the eminent satisfaction 
of his constituents and the people. He served as Congressional 
Representative for this territory from 1865 to 1871, when he was 
called to the U. S. Senate by vote of the State Legislature. Here 
he also served with marked ability from 1871 to 1883. His resi- 
dence was Grand Haven, but he had many intimate personal friends 
in Oceana County who knew him in the trying pioneer days devot- 
ed to lumbering at Stony Creek. From 1871 to 1873 W.D.Foster, 
of Grand Rai^ids, was the Member. He was followed in Congress by 
the Hon. Jay A. Hubbell, who also commanded great influence from 
the outset of his Congressional career. His residence was the Up- 
per Peninsula, but he made every section of his District the object 
of his attention, and to him and his influence is largely due the 
large appropriations received for Pentwater harbor improvements. 
He served from 1873 to 1883, and during this time was honored 
by being made a member of the National Republican Committee. 
He was forcible, active and shrewd, and to secure his support for a 
measure was considered a great advantage. He was unfortunate 
in being selected as the especial object of attack by the democrats 
and civil service reformers. After his retirement from Congress he 
served his District in the State Legislature, where he was a promi- 
nent figure. 

Following Mr. Hubbell came General Byron M. Cutcheon,of Man- 
istee, who is the present Member, and who has represented this 
District since 1883. General Cutcheon was born in Pembroke, N. 
H., in 1836. At the age of 13 he entered the Pembroke Academy, 



AND BUSINESS MKN OF TO-DAY 



215 



taught school at the age of 17, and shortly removed to Michigan, 
locating at Ypsilanti. Became jjrincipal of Birmingham Academy, 
in Oakland County, in 1857. Entered the T'niversity of ]Michigan 
and graduated as a men^ber of the class of '61, when he accepted 
the position of Professor of 
Ancient Languages, etc., in 
the Yjisilanti High School. 
He entered the military ser- 
vice in 18G2. Was Second 
Lieutenant 20th JNIichigan 
Infantry, July 15, 1862. 
Captain, July 29, 1862. 
Major, October 14, 1862. 
Lieutenant Colonel, Novem- 
ber 16, 1863. Wounded in 
action at Spottsylvania 
Court House, Va., May 10, 
1861. Brevet Colonel U. 
S. Volunteers, Aug. 18, '64, 
"for gallant service at the 
battle of the Wilderness, 
Va., and Spottsylvaniji, 
Va., and during the opera- 
tions before Petersburg, 
Va." Colonel 27th Michi- 
gan Infantry, November 12, 
1864. Resigned March 6, 
'65. Brevet Brigadier Gen- 
eral U. S. Volunteers, March 13, '65, "for conspicuous gallantry at 
the battle of the Wilderness, Va." He commanded the 2nd brig- 
ade, 2nd division, 9th army corps, from October 16, '65, until the 
date of his resignation, having been compelled to leave the service 
on account of sickness in his family. 

At the close of the war he entered the law school of the Universi- 
ty of Michigan, graduating in March, 66. Admitted to the bar at 
Ann Arbor in '66. Practiced law at Ionia in '66-7, when he remov- 
ed to Manistee. 

On March 20, '67, he was appointed a member of the Board of 
Control of Railroads. In '66 he was appointed President of the 
Michigan Soldiers' Home Commission by the Governor. In '68 he 
was a Presidential elector from this State. In '70 he was chosen 
City Attorney by a Democratic Council. City Attorney of Manis- 
tee in '71, and Prosecuting Attorney of that county in '73-4. In 
'75 he was elected Regent of the State University for the term of six 




BYRON M. CUTCHEOX, M. C. 



216 OCEANA COUXTY PIONEERS 

years. He was elected to the 48th, 49th and 50th Congress, and 
again re-elected to the 51st Congress by a vote of 23,026 to 18,651 
for Hiram B. Hudson, democrat, and 2,476 for Lathrop S. Ellis, 
prohibitionist. 

STATE LEGISLATURE. 

The following are the names and terms of service of Oceana's ve'p- 
resentatives in the State Legislature: 

SENATE. 

Nelson Green Claybanks, Mich '61-2-3-4 

James B. Walker Benzonia, " '65-6 

IsraelE. Carleton Muskegon, " '67-S-9-'70 

Wales F. Storrs Coopersvill? " '71-2 

Edgar L. Gray Newaygo, 

Marsden C. Burch Hex'sey, 

Wni. E. Ambler Pentwater, 

Shubal F. White Ludington, 

Ed. E. Edwards Fremont, 

Theron S. Gurney Hart, 

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 

Charles W. Deane Pentwater, 

Israel E. Carleton Muskegon, 

Nelson Green Claybanks, 

A. R. Wheeler Benona, 

O. K. White : Grant, 

Amos Lewis Shelby, 

James E. White Pentwater, 

T. G. Houk Elbridge, 

Daniel G. Crosby Elbridge, 



I 


'73-4-5-6 


' '77-8 


' '79-'80-l-2 


•' '83-4 


■' '85-6-7-8 


TIVES. 

ich 


'89-'90 

'67-8 

'69-'70 

'71-9 


' '73-4-5-6 


' '77-8 

' '79-'80 


' '81-2-3-4 


' '85-6-7-8 




'89-'90 



PERSONAL. 

Of the Senators above named Edgar L. Gray, who still lives in 
Newaygo, has always been a prominent figure in local politics. He 
is a lawyer by profession and a successful practitioner. In the Sen- 
ate he was a leader and secured many concessions for his locality. 

Marsden C. Burch, who followed Mr. Gray, appeared before the 
nominating convention as a candidate in ojiposition toR. M.Mont- 
gomery, who was an aspirant for the same position. Mr. Burch's 
residence was Hersey, Osceola Co. He was young and at this time 
unknown outside his county. In the nominating convention, how- 
ever, he was victorious, defeating Mr. Montgomery by a very few 
votes. At the polls he was also successful, and served his term 
with credit to himself and to the satisfaction of his constituents. 



AXD BUSINESS MEN OF TO-DAY 



217 



His opponent in convention, Mr. Montgomery, became his stead- 
fast friend, and after his return from Lansing engaged in the prac. 
tice of law with him at Grand Rapids. Mr. Burcli has since been U. 
S. District Attorney, and is now Circuit Judge at Grand Rapids. 

WiUiam E. Ambler, of Pentwater, who followed Mr. Burch, was 
born at Medina, Ohio, Dec. 
18, '45, and resided there 
until his parents removed 
to Hillsdale, Mich., in '59. 
He entered Hillsdale College 
but in '(55 left that institu- 
tion, going to Albion College 
where he graduated in the 
scientific course. In '66 he 
entered the law school at 
Albany, graduated, and was 
admitted to practice. In 
'67 he finished the classical 
course at Adrian College, 
graduating with the degree 
of A. B. The same fall he 
established himself as a law- 
yer at Minneapolis, Minn., 
but in '68 returned to Mich- 
igan and began the practice 
of law at Pentwater, where 

he continues to reside. He has been President ot the village, and is 
a member of the firm of Nielsen ct Co., bankers. In '70 Adrian 
College conferred on him the degree of A. ]M., and in '75 Hillsdale 
College did likewise. Mr. Ambler is now serving his second term as 
Trustee of the latter institution. He was elected a Senator in '78, 
and was re-elected in '80 by an increased majority. He was Pres- 
ident pro tern, of the Senate during his last term and chairman of 
the important Committee on Ways and Mean.'j. At the time Gen- 
eral Cutcheon was nominated for Congress at the Reed City conven- 
tion in '82, Mr. An? bier, although not a candidate, was the choice 
of the entire Oceana County delegation, and would have been the 
.second choice of the Muskegon delegation. By his declining to allow 
his name to be used and requesting the delegation to support Gen- 
eral Cutcheon, it had the effect of making the General's nomination 
unanimous. Upon the death of Judge of Probate Landon, Governor 
Luce appointed him Judge of Probate for Oceana County. He is 
now actively engaged in the practice of his profession at Pentwater 
and is oneofitsmost enterprising citizens nearly every manufactory 




WM. E. AMBLER, 7th SENATOR. 



218 



OCEANA COUNTY PIONEERS 



and public improvment being largely indebted to his energj' and 
financial sujjport. 

Shubal F. White, of Ludington, who followed Mr. Ambler, was a 
fine lawyer and regarded as a man of attainments. He gained for 
himself considerable notoriety throughout the State during the ses- 
sion of '83, bj' securing the passage of the village "local option 
clause" without the opponents to such action being aware of the 
fact until the bill became a law. Mr. White is now practicing law 
in Duluth. 

Ed. E. Edwards, formerly a pioneer resident of Oceana County, 
but at the time of his nomination a resident of Fremont, Newaygo 
Co., was brought forward by the temperance element ot the party 
and nominated in answer to its demands. In the Senate he ful- 
filled all the pledges made to his constituents and was found to be 
a ready, willing and effective worker for temperance legislation. He 
commanded influence aud was successful in securing favorable leg- 
islation for his locality. He was returned with almost no op- 
position in his party and by an increased majority at the jjolls. 
Theron S.Gurney, of Hart, present Senator, was born at Chester, 

Geauga County. Ohio, 
in '36. He finished his 
academic course at 
Willoughby, Ohio, Uni- 
versity, and graduat- 
ed from Ohio State 
and Union Law Col- 
lege at Cleveland, Ohio 
in '62. He was prin- 
cipal of Chardon, 0., 
Union Schools from 

'63 to '65, and came 
to Hart, Oceana Co., 
in '66, and has follow- 
ed the practice of law 
at that place ever 
since. Mr. Gurneyhas 
held the office of Su- 
pervisor one term. 
Town Clerk four terms, 
Village President one 
term, and Co. Clerk 
and Register of Deeds 
two terms. He was elected to the State Senate in '88. 
Charles W. Deane, the first Representative of Oceana County in 




THERON S. UURNEY, PRESENT SENATOR. 



AND BUSINESS MEN OF TO-DAY- 



219 



the State Legislature, was the pioneer lawyer of the county, and as 
has appeared elsewhere in this work, was prominent in its early de- 
velopment. He is now a resident of Chicago where he practices his 
profession. 

Nelson Green, the fii"st State Senator and thiid Representative of 
this county in the House, was a typical pioneer. He was a man of 
more than ordinary ability and his advice was often sought. He 
served his people with credit. He has Ions: since been gathered to 
his fathers. 

Amos R. \Mieeler was the fourth Repi-esentative elected in this 
county. He was born in Cavendi.sh, Vt., Sept. 12, '15, of Scotch 
and English ancestry. In '53 he engaged in lumbering in Benona 
with a Mr. Campbell. Afterwards he became interested with Ira 
Minard and Sons, of St. Charles, 111., and continued the manage- 
ment of this business until the day of his death. 'He married Jan. 
15, '■40,Phidelia Randall, by whom he had five children all of whom 
died except one daughter. He held many local offices and was very 
poiDular with the people. He served two terms in the State Legis- 
lature. He died at his home in Benona Feb. 7, '88, in the 68th 
year of his age. His wife followed him some live years thereafter. 

Oliver K. White, Representative tVom Oceana County in '77, was 
born in Chnton County, N. 
Y., Feb. 13, '31, removing 
three months subsequently 
to Erie County, wherehe re- 
ceived a common school ed- 
ucation. In '52 he remov- 
ed to Cattaraugus county, 
where for two years he held 
the positions of Township 
Superintendent of Schools 
and Justice. In '57 he re- 
moved to Michigan and set- 
tled in Grant, where he still 
resides. He has been Su- 
pervisor six years, and was 
Sheriff of Oceana County 
during '75-6. In politics a 
republican. 




J^ff^ 



O. K. WHITE, 5th REPRESENTATIVE. 



220 



OCEANA COUNTY PIONEERS 




AMOS LEWIS, 7th REPRESENTATIVE. 



Amos Lewis, Representa- 
tive from Oceana County 
in '79, was born March 6, 
'21, at Highland County, 
Ohio. He moved to La- 
X5orte County, Indiana, in 
'36, and to Oceana County, 
Michigan, in '66, where he 
is a farmer. Pohtics, na- 
tional. 



James White, republican, 
of Pentwater, engaged in 
shingle mill business, con- 
tested the election in the 
fall of '80 with Amos Lewis 
on the fusion ticket and de- 
feated him by a small ma- 
jority. He was a bright 
member, and was quite a 
prominent figure in the 
House. It was his vote that defeated Bagley for the U. S. Senate 
and elected 0. D. Conger. Mr. White with his family now reside at 
Kalamazoo. 

Theodore G. Honk, Rep- 
resentative from Oceana 
County in '85 and '87, was 
born in Seneca County, O., 
Aug. 2, '33. Renaoved to 
Kent County in '50. He 
has followed various occu- 
pations, farming, ship and 
house carpentering, brick 
making, and sailing. En- 
listed as a private in Co. A, 
old third Michigan volun- 
teer infantry, in the spring 
of '61; re-enlisted in the fall 
of '63; waspromoted to the 
rank of Corporal; was 
wounded at Cold Harbor, 
Va., June, '64, and honor- 
ably discharged in August, 
'65. Returned to Kent Co. 
and engaged in farming. Re- 




T. G. HOUK, 8th REPRESENTATIVE. 



AND BUSINESS MEN OF TO-DAY, 



221 



moved to Oceana County in the spring of '73. Has been elected 
Supervisor seven years in succession. Has held the office of Justice 
of the Peace and School Inspector. A republican. 

Daniel W.Crosby, present 
Rei^resentative from Oce- 
ana County, was born at 
Barrington, Yates Co., N. 
Y., in '33. In earlier years 
he was a teacher, but is now 
a farmer. He has been a 
resident of Michigan twen- 
ty-eight years; has been Su- 
IDerintendent of Schools one 
term, Township Clerk eight 
years, Supervisor nine years 
County Clerk and Register 
of Deeds two years. He 
voted on crutches for John 
C. Fremont and Abraham 
Lincoln, and has voted for 
every republican nominee 
for President since that time. 

D. W. CROSBY, PRESENT REP. 







THE JUDICIARY 



BENCH AND BAR OF OCEANA COUNTY. 

In Feb. IS.io, the Legislature i)assed an act erecting a Judicial 
Circuit, embracing not only the counties of Oceana and Muskegon, 
the ijresent Fourteenth Judicial Circuit, but also those of Ottawa 
and Kent and the territory north indefinitely. The history of the 
organization of a Circuit Court in Oceana County and its first term 
appears on page 36. The big Circuit, as it has until recently been 
known, has been divided from time to time until at last we find 
Oceana County with Muskegon County constituting the Fourteenth 
Judicial Circuit of Michigan. The Judges who have occupied the 
Bench in this county in regular line are as follows: Flavins J. Lit- 
tlejohn, Moses B. Hox)kins, Augustine H. Giddings, Michael Brown, 
Frederick J. Russell and Albert Dickerman. 

Upon the inside of the cover of the first journal used, and dated 



222 



OCEANA COUNTY PIONEERS 



Sept. 21, 1858, appear the following names, constituting the first 
Bar of Oceana: W. T. Howells, Newaygo; J. H. Standish, Neway- 
go; Wm. H. Parks, Grand Haven. 




The '•Anderson House,'' Claybanks, used as the first Court House 

of the County. 



The following are the attorneys that have become members of the 
Bar since: 

Charles W. Deane 1859 

Lyman D. Grove x\pril 10 1861 

Frederick J.Russell Sept. 20 1866 

William Crosby June 17 1868 

Theron S. Gurney 

Daniel H.Sumner June 26 1868 

Nathan Crosby 

John M. Rice 

A. H. Dunlap Sept. 21 3 868 

Amos Crosbj^ 

William E. Ambler Sept. 24 1868 

Edward E.Edwards March 8 1870 

Robert M.Montgomery July 12 1870 



AND BUSINESS MEN OF TO-DAY. 



223 



Marcus H.Brooks July 12 1870 

Louis M. Hartwiek March 1872 

Rollin Rice 1872 

David Rice Sept. 27 1872 

Alfred H. Nelson April 1873 

Richard A. Montgomery 1873 

John S. Reynolds Dec. 12 1874 

William H. Hubbard, Jr Dec. 14 1875 

William H. Tuller June 6 1876 

WillardB. McPherson March 15 1877 

Charles P. Barker July 29 1880 

Charles A. Gurney June 21 1881 

James Brassington June 1882 

Cyrus B. Stevens June 13 1882 

Henry W. Harpster 1883 

C. D. Bickford Sept. 1885 

John D. S. Hanson Feb. 23 1^86 

Charles R. Johnson Aug. 28 1886 

Philip H. Travis Jan. 1887 

Ned E. Whitney May 2 1887 

William E. Osmun March 5 1887 

William P. Sackrider Oct. 31 1H87 

N. E. Burrows Nov. 21 1887 

J. P. Ackerson Nov. 21 18«7 

Edward O'Brien Jan. 9 1888 

Judge F. J, Russell, in a paper read before the Oceana County 
Pioneer Association, June 7, 18S6, thus describes three of his pred" 
ecessors upon the Bench: 

"Judge Littlejohn has seen 
more of pioneer service than any ^- ^v^v^^^,^ 

Judge in the State. He made A ' V\|\w 

his ]pilgnmage north and south fe.^vj v\| 

over his circuit, with a small 

llock of attorneys followmg him \^J '- , ^^yc 

spring and fall, usuallj' traveling i ■^'TV'''-- "^^^^^ 

on hoi'seback and crossing the S Ji^s-K M^^ 

streams as best he could. Usu- ^^ "^ ^:)VxA 

ally in his time after Court until f^ t^^ atf^f iV UL 

late at night he might be seen in ^ ,.^'pWzmliMI^^S^^l^^ 
the Court Room, surrounded by " ' ' 

the attorneys in attendance, 
telling stories to amuse them- ' 'MHHtf' /' 
selves and a good crowd of spec- 
tators. He died at Allegan." '^^ ^' '"'"''^^ 

Judge Littlejohn's first term 
of Court was held Sept. 21, '58, 
andhis last term Sept. 20, '66. v. .r. littlejohn, Ist jldge. 




224 



OCEANA COUNTY PIONEERS 




"Judge Hox^kins, on account of sickness, was unable to hold 
many terms of Court, and died at Grand Haven before the expira- 
tion of his term." 

Judge HoiDkins' first term was June 18, '67, and last term June 
8, '69. 

"Judge Giddings had a very 
pleasing address and was a pol- 
ished gentlemjm. Itis said that 
his first official act was to order 
the Prosecuting Attorney to dis- 
miss the cause of The people 
against Augustine H. Giddings. 
He said he knew something of 
the facts of the cause, and he 
thought it but due to the re- 
spondent that the cause should 
be dismissed, and that a nolh 
prosequi should be entered ac- 
cordingly. He died in Philadel- 
phia while yet Judg9." 
L. G. Rutherford, in Page's 
History thus describes Judges 
Giddings, Brown and Russell: 
"Judge Giddings was a graduate of Yale College, and had receiv- 
ed a complete legal education. He was regarded by all who knew 
him as one of the ablest jurors in the State; but too great a love 
for strong drink partially destroyed his usefulness, and no doubt 
prevented him from rising to the highest judicial honors. He died 
in Philadelphia while attending the Centennial exhibition in 1876." 
Judge Giddings' first term was held March 8, 1870, and his last 
term June 10, lh76. 

"Hon. Michael Brown, of Big Rapids, was appointed to fill the 
vacancy occasioned by the death of Judge Giddings. and having 
served to the end of the term, he was reelected without opp)Osi- 
tion. He made a gooci judge, and while he had his enemies, as have 
all public men, the writer, who was in acti\-e practice before him 
during all the time he was on the Bench, takes great pleasure in re- 
cording that Judge Brown was always a patient, honest and able 
judge. He resigned Jan. 1, 1881, for the reason that the mean sal- 
ary of $1,500 per anniun would not allow him to serve any longer." 
Judge Brown's first term was held March, 1877, and his last term 
Dec, 1880. 

"Hon. Frederick J. Russell, of Hart, was ajapointed to fill the 
unexpired term, and at an election ordered, he was, in April, 1881, 



'^c. rv^ 



A. H. GIDDINGS, 3rd JUDGE. 



AXI) BUSINESS MEN OF TO-DAY. 



225 



elected by the jx'ople, the 
opposition not having nom- 
inated any one to oppose 
liim. Judge Russell was 
born in ]Mich'gan, and has 
been a resident of Oceana 
C o u n t y for t wen ty-t wo 
years. As a judge he is well 
liked by all. He is a man 
of strong sense, and a hard 
worker, — qualities w hie h 
well become a judge." 

Judge Kussell's first term 
of Court was held ISIarch, 
1881, and his last term in 
Dec, 1S87, covering a peri- 
od of nearly seven years' 
service, and during wliich 
some of the most ve.xed le- 
gal questions coming before 
the Court during its e.xist- 
ence ajji^eared and weredis 
liosed ot Judtie Ru^^ell 





A. DKKEK.MAN, ()th .lUIXiE. 

til seventeen years of age, going 



K. .1. RUSSELL, 5th .Junoi:. 

was of rugged, robust build, 
and was always promptly on 
hand to atten<l to the peo- 
ple's business. He developed 
as a judge rapidly while in of- 
fice, and it has been truthful- 
ly remarked thcXt he retired 
from the Bench just in the 
prime and vigor of his useful- 
ness. At the close of his last 
session the Bar of Oceana 
gave a banquet at theWigton 
in Hart, at which time a fine 
gold-headed cane was present- 
ed him in token of the esteem 
in which he was held by mem- 
bers of the Bar. 

The Hon. Albert Dickermau 
6th Judge, was born in Mason- 
ville, Delaware Co., N. Y., in 
1810, and lived on afarm un- 
to district school in winter and 



226 OCEANA COUNTY PIONEEKS 

working on farna in summer. At the age of seventeen lie re- 
moved with his family to the township of Nevvberg, near Cleve- 
land, Ohio, and most of the time thenceforth until the war com- 
menced, was either teaching or studying. 

He was teaching in Missouri when the war commenced. Return- 
ed to Ohio where he continued his studies, teaching at the same time 
for another year. In July, 1862, he enlisted as a private in the 
105 Ohio Infantry. In the spring of 1863 he was appointed Adju- 
tant of the regiment and served in that cax^acity until the war clos- 
ed. His reiginient belonged to the Fourteenth Army Corx^s, and 
was under Thomas, finally with Sherman. 

At the close of the war he studied law at Cleveland, Ohio, and lo- 
cated at Hillsdale, in this State, in August. Held several minor of- 
fices there, was elected and served one term as Judge of Probate. 
1880 was elected to the State Senate from Hillsdale county and 
served in the regular session of the Legislature in 1881, and in the 
special session of 1882. In the spring of 1883 he removed to Mus- 
kegon where he has since practiced his profession. Mr. Dickerman 
is a gentleman of pleasing appearance, dignified and courteous in 
his bearing. A good lawyer and makes a good judge." 

Mr. Dickerman held his first term in Jan. 1888, and is still upon 
the Bench. He is clear-headed, cool, deliberate and courteous. He 
is conscientious in the ]performance of his duties. 

To t he members of the Bar of Oceana County we will refer briefly. 

CharU.s W. Deane, undoubtedly the first resident attorney in the 
county, and was the first elected Prosecuting Attorney. He enlist- 
ed in the Union army and served with distinction during the war, 
coming out a Major. He was a good walker and a good storyteller 
and wa.^ quite popular. He is now practicing in Chicago. 

Lyman D. Grove was the next attorney on the list. In his early 
practice he was active and energetic. From 1862 to 1868 he held 
the offices of Circuit Court Commissioner and Prosecuting Attorney. 
He afterwards was a candidate for office many times, but de- 
feated. He, too, was a good walker and during campaigns would 
travel the county on foot soliciting votes. He was regarded as well 
posted in law, but had an awkward delivery that prevented his ac- 
quiring a prominent po!>ition as a lawyer. He is now a resident of 
Poplar Bluffs, l\Io. 

Nathan Crosby is well remembered as a popular and efficient 
lawyer. He had a large practice and always maintained the confi- 
dence of his clients. He held the offices of County Clerk and Regis- 
ter of Deeds two terms. He died at Hart early in the seventies. 

Amos Crosby, his brother, practiced with him and was a kind, 
courteous and pleasing gentleman. He held the office of Judge of 



AND BUSINESS MEN OF TO-DAV. 227 

Probate from 1868 to 1872. After his brother's death he removed 
to Albion, ]\Iichigan, where a few years later he died. 

John M. Rice is thus spoken of by Judge Russell in his paper be- 
fore the Pioneer Societj'^: "John M. Rice enjoyed an extensive prac- 
tice and was closely identified with the legal proceedings of the coun- 
ty during his residence here. He was elected Prosecuting Attorney 
of Oceana County; is now a resident of Cadillac, where he was elect- 
ed Circuit Judge, which oflice he resigned after a few months of offi- 
cial duty. While with us he enjoyed the confidence of a large circle 
of acquaintances and had the respect of all who knew him." He re- 
moved from Pent water to Cadillac in the year 1881 and engaged in 
the ijractice of law there, after which he was made Circuit Judge and 
which position he filled for a time, finally resigning because of insuf- 
ficient salary. He was also engaged in the banking business with 
his brother-in-law in Cadillac. Owing to circumstances beyond the 
firm's control he lost all his jjroperty. He is now a resident of Los 
Angeles, Cal. 

R. M. Montgomery, studied with F.J. Russell and after bis ad- 
mission to the Bar opened an office at Pentwater under the firm 
name of Russell & Montgomery. He early displayed qualities of a 
good lawyer and rose rapidly in his profession until he stood at the 
head of the Oceana County Bar. He held the office of Prosecuting 
Attorney two terms and made a good record. He removed 
to Grand Rapids where he held the office of Deputy U. S. 
District Attorney. Afterwards Judge of Kent County, which last 
position he filled with great honor to himself. He is now enjoying a 
lucrative jjractice in the city of Grand Rajoids, and is regarded as a 
leading member of the Bar. 

R. A. Montgomery, a cousin of R. M., and a brother of M. V. 
Montgomery ai:)pointed by President Cleveland Cotnmissioner of 
Patents, and later Judge of the District ot Columbia, appeai'ed in 
Oceana as a young attorney with a mi^id quick, active and well 
stored. He had a fine flow of language, and often in the trial of 
causes became eloquent. He remained in Oceana only a few years 
and then removed to Lansing, where he formed a copartnership 
with his brother, M. V. Here he soon acquired di.stinction and is 
regarded as one of the best lawyers in the capital city. 

William E. Ambler of Pentwater, from his first advent to the 
county to the present time has held a prominent and leading posi- 
tion among the attorneys. He is full of enei"gy and aml)itious, yet 
careful, systematic and methodical. His practice has undoubtedlj' 
included as many important cases as that of any other attorney 
in the county. While he has a fine address and never loses by his 
appearance before Court or jury, he is as careful in arranging the 



228 (XEAXA COUNTY PIONEERS 

details of bis case and securing evidence as thouab everything de- 
pended ui^on tbis. He has been eminently successful, and now en- 
joys a leading practice. He was twice elected State Senator, to 
which reference has been made under another head. 

T. S. Gurney, at present State Senatoi-, has also enjoyed a fine 
practice. His early practice was general but of late years it has 
been largely on the Chancery Calendar. He is a tine penman and 
having been elected Clerk and Register for 1872-4gave the records a 
fine appearance. He here laid the foundation of bis subsequent 
great loaning business which has yielded him abundant returns. 
He is still engaged in the i:)ractice of law at Hart. 

L. G. Ilutherford is another pi'ominent figu'eof the State of Mich- 
igan who developed himself m Oceana County. His career as a sol- 
dier, and in the Grand Army since the war is too well known to re- 
peat here. The positions whicli he has held have brought him a 
widespread reputation, and given him a standing in the democrat- 
ic party of Michigan near the front rank. As a lawyer he early dis- 
played natural ability, especially in his examination of witnesses 
and presentation of facts to a jury, that develoxjed with experience 
in the Courts and soon placed him at the head as an examiner 
and advocate. Of late years he commands a large practice in Oce- 
ana County. He removed to Grand Rapids in 1888, and now 
enjoys a large and growing practice in that city. He was elected 
and served the county as Prosecuting Attorney and as such bro't 
many criminals to justice. 

E. E. P^dwards, whom we have referred to under another head, 
was an attorney who, although not enjoying as large a practice as 
some mentioned, always commanded by his appearance the .atten- 
tion and respect of Court and jury. He removed from Pentwater 
to Allegan early in the seventies, from there. toPremont, Newaygo 
County, where he enjoyed a fine practice, and from there in 1889 to 
^Minneapolis, Minn., where he formed a copartnership with Charles 
P. Barker for the practice of law. 

M. H. Brooks is a lawyer possessing snore of the Cjualities of a 
judge than an advocate. He has held the office of Justice of the 
Peace of Hart almost continuously since his admission to the Bar, 
and has probably tried more causes as Justice than any other Jus- 
tice in >«ortherri Michigan. He has also held the office of Circuit 
Court Connnissioner several terms. 

A. H. Nelson came to Oceana in 1878, and commenced the prac- 
tice of law. He did not have a lavge i)ractice, but was very popu- 
lar with all the members of the Bar. He was twice elected Prose- 
cuting Attorney, and once Circuit Court Commissioner. Several 
yeart- aco he removed to Ogden. Utah, where he engaged in the ab- 



AXI) BrSINKSS MEN OF TO-]:)AY. 229 

stract and real estate business and speedily accumulated a compe- 
tence. He is at present President of the Board of Trade at Ogden, 
as well as one of its most popular citizens. 

L. M. Hartwiek, of Pentwater, practiced law before the Courts of 
Oceana from 1872. He held the olftce of Circuit Court Commiss- 
ioner one term, was appointed Prosecuting Attorney upon the resig- 
nation ofL. G. Rutherford, served the balance of his term, was elect- 
ed and served another term. Has since Mcirch, 1880, published the 
Pentwater News, which he still owns and publishes. 

R. Rice we have no record of, but he is thouglit to be practicing in 
the Eastern States. 

David Rice did not practice in Oceana, but commenced practice 
in Cadillac where he was quite successful. 

John S. Reynolds is now a resident of Chicago, being one of the 
proprietors and managers of a successful theater in that city. 

W. H. Hubbard, Jr., was quite successful as a young lawyer, and 
was elected Prosecuting Attorney in 1878. He removed from the 
county before his term expired, and is now successfully manaaing a 
newspaper in Southern Michigan. 

W. H. Tuller has not engaged in the practice of law since his ad- 
mission, but for many years was F. Nielsen's Assistant in Nielsen it. 
Co.'s bank. He has held many local offices and for several years 
has been Secretary and Treasurer of the State Fireman's Associa- 
tion. 

W. B. IMcPherson is engaged in the practice of law at ^lanistee, 
Michigan. 

Charles P. Barker has a tine practice in Minneapolis, Minn. 

C. A. Gurney, who for two terms held the office of Circuit Court 
Commissioner, has abandoned the profession and is now engaged in 
the drug business at Hart, ^Iich. 

James Brassington is one of the county seat's busy lawyers and 
is never disheartened at failure in the Court below. He is often 
found in the Supreme Court with his cases and quite often comes 
out with flying colors. 

H. W. Harpster has been actively in practice in the County for 
several years. Is well read and successful. ITe has been for a year 
and over an assistant in the Hon. W. E. Ambler's oflice. 

C. D. Bickford came here a young lawyer from Hillsdale. His 
pleasing ways and courteous practice soon won for him hosts of 
friends. He also was associated with Hon. T. S. Gurney, the tirm 
name being Gurney, Bickford & Travis. Just in the promise of a 
line career he was cut off by de;ith and sincerely mourned. 



230 OCEANA COUNTY PIONEERS 

Cyrus B. Stevens is a lawyer of careful, methodical habits that 
insures success when he once decides to commence x^roceedings. He 
is well informed and his counsel often sought. He filled the office 
of Prosecuting Attorney two terms, successfullj- performing its du- 
ties. It was his fortune to prosecute the first murder case that oc- 
curred in the county. 

John D. S. Hanson is the son of one of Oceana's earliest pioneers. 
Was admitted to the Bar in Feb., 1886, and elected Prosecuting 
Attorney in 1888. He has secured many convictions and been re- 
markably successful in preparing his papers. 

Charles R. Johnson is engaged in the express and insurance busi- 
ness at Pentwater. Still he occasionally appears in Courts. 

Philip H. Travis, after his admission to the bar , entered into co 
partnership with T. S. Gui'ney. He soon acquired a prominent po- 
sition, but with the idea of adding to his store of information he 
entered the LawDept.of the Universitj^at Ann Arbor in Oct., 1889- 

W, E. Osmun is located at Montague; is Village President and has 
a large Chancery and general practice. 

Wm. P. Sackrider devotes the whole of liis time to the perform- 
ance of the duties of the office of County Clerk, to which he was 
elected in 1888. He is a fine penman, courteous and accommodat- 
ing, and is popular alike with attorneys and i^atronsof the office. 

N. E. Burrows went West to ijractice and after a short tinie 
was taken ill and died. 

J. P. Ackerson is i^racticing at Hesperia. 




MEMBERS OF OCEAXA ('<)(' XT Y PRESS ASSOCIATION. 




H. M. UOYAL, 

SShelby Herald 



L. M. HARTWICK, 

Pentwater News. 



F. VanVALKENBURG, 

Oceana Tribune. 



S. KDSON, 

Hart Journal. 



E. S. PALMITER, 

The Argus. 



CHAPTER XIV 



PICTORIAL GALLERY OF PIONEERS AND BCSIXESS MEN 

OF TO-DAY. 



Arraiisod Accordiiis to Date of Settlement in the Couniw 



^ 



MRS OLIVE BYRXE— 1849. 



Olive Byrne was born at Middlebury, Addison Co., Vt., in 1828. 
She is entitled to the honor of having been the first white woman 
that came to what is now 
Oceana Co. She was married 
in 1845 to Chauncey Clem- 
ents, and came with him to 
this county about the middle 
of Ai^ril, 1849. At that time 
there were no "neighbors" 
nearer than White River ex- 
cepting the Indians. About 
six weeks after she came the 
families of Dr. Thos. Phillips 
and his father came, settling 
about two miles away, being 
her then nearest neighbors. 
She lived first upon the R. E. 
Cater place now owned by 
Mr. Joseph Lee. It was a 
lonesome time for all at that 
time, the great lake upon one 
side with the wilderness upon 
the other. The Indians were 

generally friendly and not dilficult to get along with excei^t when in- 
toxicated. They would occasionally get possession of some fire- 
water and then pandemonium was let loose. There were no roads 




MRS. OLIVE BYRXE. 



232 



OCEANA COUNTY PIOXEERS 



through the wootls excei^ting Indian trails. What provisions were 
needed that could not be raised were procured by boat, often from 
traders who made it a business to trade along the shore. One of 
the first of these traders was W. Chapin, afterwards for a number 
of years aresident of Pentwater. In the fall it was necessary to lay 
in enough provision to last until navigation of the lake was prac- 
ticable in the spring. The long winters were especially lonesome 
times to these early pioneers, with the lake covered with floating 
ice; and often with the snow piled in mountain drifts around the 
cabin. Mrs. Byrne endured all these inconveniences as did many 
others who settled soon after she came, but she has braved them 
all and continued to i*eside to the present time near her first home. 
On June 15, 18.50, she was married to Thomas Byrne. They live 
within sight of the lake in the township of Claybanks, being com- 
fortably situated. The subject of this sketch has had two children, 
a son and a daughter. Mr. Byrne is also an early settler of the 
county, and as interesting a dinner hour as has ever been passed 
was one passed by the writer in the company of A. Brady, 3Ir. and 
Mrs. Bj'rne, listening to their reminders to each other of incidents 
of those early days when they first came to Oceana Co. 

DR. THOS. PHILLIPS— 1819. 

Dr. Thomas Phillips was 
born in New Brunswick, Apr. 
1,1817. He is a son of Thos. 
and Elizabeth Phillips. At 
the age of seven years he, with 
his parents, moved to Cana- 
da where he remained until 
1817, then coming to Ionia, 
Mich. After about a year he 
came to White Lake, near 
Whitehall. Having previous- 
ly with John Hanson, Walter 
Duke and others explored the 
lake shore and interior of 
what is now Oceana County 
and finding lands that were 
in every way satisfactory, 
early in the summer of 1819 he 
came with his family to Clay- 
banks. Mr. Phillips built the first saw mill in the county (a frame 
one) at Stony Creek for Rev. W.Perry. After settling at Claybanks 
he divided his time between agriculture and the practice of medi- 
cine. The doctor was married July 13, 181.5, to Emaline Bowman 




DK. THOS. PHILLIPS. 



AND BUSINESS MEN OF TO-DAY. 



233 




by whom he had seven child- 
ren, six sons and one daugh- 
ter. His first wife dying, in 
1873 he was married to Mrs 
Anna M. Haggerty, who'>e 
maiden name was Vandeven- 
ter, she being a daughter of 
Abrani and Charry Vande- 
venter. She was born in New 
York State, Nov. 16, 1821 
By a previous husband she i>r> 
the mother of eight daughterb 
Mr. and Mrs. PhilUps are 
passing their declining years < 
on their farm on Sec. 21 , Cl.iy ^ 
banks, loved and respected' 
by all who know them. He 
has been ottered many official 
positions but as a rule has 
refused to accept them. He 
has, however, served as Treas- 
urer of his township, and as anna m. philt.ips. 
Deputy Sheriff of the county. To him and a very few others belong 
the honor of being the first settlers of the county. He has seen many 
days and nights of laborious toil but can now honestly exclaim "I 
havedone myjiart in making the wilderness to blossom as the rose." 

ALEX. S. ANDERSON— 1841>. 

Alex. S. Anderson, a man 
who exerted a positive influ- 
ence in the early affairs of 
this county, was born, as 
nearly as can be ascertained, 
in the State of Maine, on the 
23rd day of March, 1811. Of 
his early life nothing is known 
excepting that he resided for 
some time in his native State 
and spent considerable time 
in traveling about over the 
United States. In Dec, 18-49, 
he came to Oceana County, 
and from that time his histo- 
ry can be traced. He began 
work for Dr. Phillips who was 
then building a mill at Stony 
Creek for Rev. W. Ferry. He 
worked for Mr. Phillips until 




234 



OCEANA COUNTY PIONEEKS 



the fall of 1850, when he went to lumbering for Mr. Ferry. A year 
later he took charge of the mill and continued to run it for two 
years. He then moved to Claybanks and commenced farming 
which he followed until his death, which occurred Dec. 29, 1879. 
He was buried in the Claybanks cemetery. Mr. Anderson was po- 
litically a democrat. He was known as a man of positive opinions 
and exerted an influence in all the affairs of the county, and more 
especially in his locality. In 1855 he was elected Supervisor of his 
township and held that office for eleven years almost continuously. 
Upon the Board of Supervisors he possessed an influence as great 
as any other member. He was Treasurer of his township for three 
years. In 1858 he was elected Clerk and Register of Deeds of the 
county; and it was his mistake while in that office that caused the 
people so much trouble and money in their title suit mentioned on 
page 88 of this book. In 1860 he was elected to the office of Coun- 
ty Treasurer, holding that office one term. 

\ ANDREW BRADY — 1850. 

Andrew Brady, the subject of this sketch was born near Dram- 
men, in Norway, on the 4th 
day of Feb., 1836. His par- 
ents were Hans and INIaren 
Brady. He continued to re- 
side with his parents ujpon 
their farm until the age of 14 
years, when the whole family 
came to this country and di- 
rect to Michigan, reaching 
Muskegon in Sept., 1850. The 
family there divided for a 
short time, the men and boys 
walking and the mother and 
one sister coming on by sail 
vessel to the mouth of White 
River. From there they all 
walked through the dense for- 
est to the southeast corner of 
what is now Grant township, 
Oceana Co.,ai'riving there on 
the 12th day of Sept., 1850. The members of his family coming in 
at that time were his father and mother, his brother Halvor now 
located on Sec. 2, Claybanks, having a farm of 80 acres, 70 acres 
improved, with good buildings; his brother Tollof now located on 
Sec. 2, Claybanks, having a farm of 70 acres, 60 improved, with 
good buildings; his sister Hanna, afterwards married to Ole Gordon 




ANDREW BRADY, 



AND BUSINESS MEN OF TO-DAY. 



235 



but now dead. His brother Otto M. and sister Julia were left at 
Milwaukee where the sister still resides, being the widow of Captain 
Jack Saveland and in good circumstances. His brother Otto after- 
wards canie to this county, was married to Janette INTyers and was 
killed in the woods in J 870. 

After reaching this county Mr. Brady commenced work for Harry 
Hulbert on what is known as big creek. Worked there one year, at 
which time the mill dam broke away, washing the foundation from 
under the mill. The result of this was that the firm Avas unable to 
pay the men. leaving the Bradys with nothing to live upon e.xcept- 
ing a few potatoes that they had raised. Fever and ague set in, all 
the family being sick. After Andrew became better he went to work 
on White River. Coming back in about a month he found his fath- 
er had died and been buried. 
The only provisions they had 
were potatoes and salt. IMeet- 
ing an Indian in the woods, 
one day, having a deer he had 
just shot, Andrew traded his 
gun tor the deer, thus furnish- 
ing meat for sometime. Dur- 
ing the fa II thebo5''s succeeded 
in getting work at the mouth 
of White River, where the 
family went for the winter. 
In the spring Andrew came to 
Whisky Creek, to work for L. 
D. Eaton, with whom he staid 
until fall. At that time the 
family came back to Sec. 10, 
Claybanks, built a shanty and mk.s. a. bradv. 

during the winter, being over-persuaded by others, cut timber from 
government lands and made shingles. In the spring of 1853 the 
boys had about six hundred dollars' worth of bolts and shingles 
piled ui^on the beach, when^along came the Deputy U. S. Marshal 
and took them all, with others. Andrew then went as a sailor up- 
on the lake. Sailed that summer and the next. In the winter of 
1851:-5 resided in Milwaukee. Came here again in the spring of '55, 
worked making shingles that summer and in the following winter 
bought from the government one hundred and twenty acres on Sec. 
1 and 3, Claybanks, and commenced making a farm. In July, 1859 
he married Miss Julia Brady, who was born Dec. 21, 1839, near 
Drammen, in Norway, her parents being Anders H. and Hellen Bra- 
dy. She came to America and to Oceana County in Aug., 1853. 
Her x)eople had a sad experience in crossing the ocean, the mother 




236 



OCEAXA COUNTY PIONEERS 



and a brother dying of ship fever and being buried in Mihvauiiee. 

Mr. and Mrs. Brady have had two children, a son who died while 
an infant, and a daughter born Jan. 23, 1862, now the wife of Nich- 
olas Thorson. 

Mr. Brady has been Highway Commissioner several times. Treas- 
urer four years and is now Justice of the Peace in his Township. 

He now owns one hundred and twenty acres of land on Sec. 3, 
Claybanks, and Sec. 34, Benona, in one farm. Has 76 acres under 
improvement; an orchard of 8 acres, a part being among the oldest 
orchards in the county. Principally apples. He has a commodi- 
ous two-story frame house, the upright 20x28, with addition 14x24; 
a barn 46x58; a horse barn 22x33; besides henhouse, etc. Is en- 
gaged in general farming. 

Mr. Brady is a man who by hard work and close attention to his 
affairs has illustrated the fact that honest endeavor will bring its 
just reward. He is generally looked uj) to and respected by all. 



t 



HARVEY TOWER— 1850. 

Harvey Tower was born in Rutland Co., Vt., March 3, 1817. He 

received his education at the 
common schools, Prof. Al- 
len's school at Vergennes and 
the Troy Conference Academy 
at West Poultney, Vt. He 
came to Jackson Co., Mich., 
in Oct,, 1839, and made 
teaching his principal occupa- 
tion for six years. He then 
moved to Barry Co. and en- 
gaged in inercantile business. 
In 1846 he was married to 
.Miss Laura L. Mallette, of 
Woodland, Barry Co. In 
1850 he came Avith his family 
to Oceana Co., where he has 
since been engaged in making 
shingles, shingle bolts, and in 
saw mill business. In 1865 
he commenced his present oc- 
cupation, farming. 
To Mr. and Mrs. Tower elev- 
en children have been born: Ru (deceased), Emma (Huston), Ada 
(Hanson), Lee, Don, Uri, Ward, Ina (deceased), Effie, Emmor and 
Joseph. 




H. TOWER. 



AND BUSINESS MEN OF TO-DAY, 



237 



Though seldom an aspirant for official honors, Mr. Tower has 
been elected to the offices of County Clerk (being the first County 
Clerk of the county), Judge of Probate, County Treasurer, and was 
declared elected to the office of County Surveyor by the Board of 
Canvassei's but declined to qualify, not thinking himself legally 
elected. He has also held the offices of Supervisor of Benona, Clay- 
banks and Grant townships; and was api^ointed and served as cen- 
sus enumerator of Grant and Otto in 1880, and of Grant in 1884. 
Mr. Tower has had an influence in the history of this county that 
will be felt as long as the county endui'es. 

MRS. LAURA L. TOWER— 1850. 

Mrs. Laura L. Tower was born in Ypsilanti, Washtenaw County, 
Mich., Feb. 18, 1829. At that 



time Ypsilanti was a mere ham- 
let. When thirteen years of age 
she moved with her parents, to 
Woodland, Barry Co., jNlich. 
When only fourteen years of age 
she commenced teaching, being 
the first teacher in Woodland. 
From that time until her mar- 
riage she followed that i^rofes- 
sion. She was married to Har- 
vey Tower Dec. 16, 1816; and 
has since, like all true and loyal 
wives, followed the fortunes of 
her husband. Mrs. Tower has 
seen pioneer life, and experienc- 
ed itsdiscomfortsand hardships 
in three different counties of our 




MRS. LAURA L. TOWER. 



State, which is a rare occurrence for a lady of her age. It seems a 
waste of words for us to say that now she is widely known and uni- 
versally loved and respected. 



MRS. L. D. EATON— 1850. 

Mrs. Rebecca Eaton was born March 23, 1823, in the State of 
Vermont. She is the daughter of John F. and Betsey Bragg. She 
was married Nov. 24, 1842, to Lorenzo D. Eaton, and came with 
him to Oceana County in Nov., 1850. At that time there were 
very few residents of the territory now known as Oceana Co. and 
she had some thrilling experiences during those early years in our 
history. She is the mother of eight children, five sons and three 
daughters, of whom three sons and two daughters are still living. 



238 



OCEANA COUNTY PIONEERS 



She at present resides with her son, Wm. A. Eaton, on what is 
known as the Anderson i^lace on Whisky Creek, in the township of 

Claybanks. Her son owns 
thephiceand is ensjaging quite 
extensively in fruit raising. 
To the apj)le orchard already 
on the place he has added 
during the past year 250 
peach, 100 plum and 115 
pear trees. The house in 
Avhich they live has been of 
historical interest in the 
county, being the building in 
which was held the first Cir- 
cuit Court for this county. 




:\IRS. J,. ]J. EATON. 



LORENZO T>. EATON— 1850. 







See pa^e 66 for sketch. 



AND BUSINESS MKN OF TO-DAY 



239 



UICHAUD E. CATEK— 1850. 

llichard E. Cater was born in Clarence, Erie Co., N. Y 
1832. Settled in Oceana 
County in 1850. In Oct., '53, 
he was married to Miss E. J. 
.Stewart, of Rainham, Out., 
from whom he was afterwards 
divorced. In 1877 he niar- 
lied Mrs. Esther J. Bezzo, of 
Claybanks. He was quite a 
prominent character in early 
times. He was a mamber of 
Co. P., Fifth Mich. Cav. dar- 
ing the war. His health has' 
been very poor since. I's now 
almost helpless, and is cared 
for by another old pioneer of 
New Era, Mrs. Jane E. Rouse. 

E. CATER. 



March 6, 




ADAM HUSTON— 1852. 

Adam Huston, one of the earliest settlers of Oceana County, was 

born at Sanford, York Co., 
Maine, Dec. 1, 1816. He 
was one of a family of eight 
children, only one of whom 
is now living, Frances, wid- 
ow of Benjamin Linscott, 
who now lives at Flower 
Creek, this county. ]Mr. 
Huston's early life was 
spent with his parents up- 
on their farm. In 1852 he 
tii'st came to Oceana Coun- 
ty and located on Sec. 27, 
Claybanks. It is needless 
to call attention to the fact 
that at that timethiscoun- 
ty was an almost unbroken 
wilderness and that it fell 
to his lot to endure his 
sliare of the trials and pri- 
ADAM HUSTON. vations of those pioneer 




240 



OCEAN A COUNTY PIONEERS 



days. He continued to reside there until his death, wliich occurred 
June 0, 1886, on the tarni he located and cleared. He died of heart 
disease, from which he had sufiered for several years. That old pi- 
oneer preacher, Rev. A. A. Darling, preached the funeral sermon 
from n Timothy, 4:7, and his remains now rest in Mount Hope 
cemetery, Claybanks. He was a member of the Methodist Church 
and a conscientious Christian. In politics he affiliated with the re- 
iDublicans. ^Ir. Huston cut and put in the first logs that were ever 
run down White River. He was known as a hard-working man, 
public spirited and enterprising. He took a great interest in the es- 
tablishment and maintenance of good schools and similar concerns. 
Dec. 8, 1836, INIr. Huston was married to Miss Eliza A. Lord, at 
Boston, Mass. Mrs. Huston was born at Portland, Maine, Nov. 8, 

1814. She came to this Co. 
with her husband and sliar- 
ed with him in making a, 
home for themselves and 
family in the woods. Among 
the incidents of those times 
one is especially remember- 
ed, not because of tlie harm 
that came of it, but because 
of the fact that harm was 
escaped where dangers were 
all around. In 1854 while 
out berrying .slie became 
lost in the woods where now 
IS the northeast corner of 
Grant, and remained out 
all night, the woods being 
full of wolves, bears, and 
even panthers. At the 
breaking out of the war the 
love of her country ruled her and she said to three brave boys, 
"go."' Alas! only one returned. She still lives, at present residing 
with her daughter, Mrs. H. Myers, at Cranston. INIr. and Mrs. Hus- 
ton were the parents of seven children, Lucy E., now Mrs. Buell, re- 
siding at INIuskegon; William H., John, Phebe E., Orin E., Chas. F. 
and Julia 0., now jNIrs. Myers, residing at Ci-anston. Orin E. and 
Chas. F. reside at Flower Creek, and Wm. H. and John sleeiJ on 
Southern battle fields. Such is a very brief sketch of the lives of 
two of Oceana County's pioneers. Though they never trod the 
halls of i)rinces or tickled the ears of a vain world with fine speech- 
es, yet their lives are eloquent. Eloquent with good works and 
good results of honest labor; and when we look around us and be- 




MRS. A. HUSTON. 



AND BUSIXESS MKK OF TO-DAY 



241 



liokl the niatei'ial prosperity we enjoy, let us not foryet tliat to 
such as these we owe it. 



ORIN E: TIUSTOX 

Orin E. Huston was born 
at Cuniberhmd, Me., Dec. 5, 
IS-tT. He is a son of two of 
Oceana County's earliest pio- 
neers, Adam and Eliza A. 
Huston. He came with his 
parents to Oceana Co. in De- 
cember, 18o2, and lived with 
tliem ui^on the farm on Sec. 
27, Claybanks, until the _. ... 
breaking out of the war when 
he enlisted as a private in Co. 
K. 23rd Mich. Vol. Inf., and 
served two years and three ^ 
months. At the time of his 
enlistment he was but sixteen 
years of age and was the 
youngest soldier carrying a 
musket in his regiment. He 
l)articipated in the battles of 



-18.'52. 





fo:^'-^'' 



MRS. O. E. HU.STON. 



O. E. HUi^TOX. 

New Hope Church, Lost jNIoun- 
tain, Kennesaw Mountain, 
Ga., Columbia, Duck River, 
Spring Hill, Franklin, Nash- 
ville, Tenn., Fort Anderson, 
Town Creek and Wilmington, 
N. C. Returning home in 
June, 1866, he remained on 
the old homestead until 1870 
when he made a start on Sec. 
34, Claybanks, Avhere he now 
has 240 acres, 100 acres un- 
der imj)rovement, with an or- 
chard of 400 apple and luO 
pear and plum trees. That 
he is an energetic, pushing 
man his surroundings show. 
June 5, 1870, he married the 
daughter of two pioneers of 
the county, viz., Miss Emma 
Tower, daughter of Harvey 



242 



OCEANA COUXTY PIONEERS 



and Laura Tower. She was born in this county Dec. 27, 1850. 
She Hved with her parents in Benona, Pentwater and Claybanks 
until her marriage. She was among the first of Oceana's lady teach- 
ers, connnencing to teach when 1.5 years of age, teaching in Ferry, 
Benona and Claybanks. Mr. and jMrs. Huston are the parents of 
7 children, 3 sons and 4 daughters. They had in their earlier 
days no school advantages but those afforded l)y the common 
schools of the county, which in those times were none of the best. 
No people in their part of the county now take a greater interest in 
school affairs than they. They ]Dossess in a marked degree the es- 
teem of their neighbors and acquaintances. Mr. Huston has been 
honored by his fellov,' townsmen with the offices of Township Clerk 
and Treasurer. 



WJLLIA.AI J. HAUGHEY— 1852. 

The following is the sketch of Wm. J. Haughey as told by himself: 

"Was born in the High St., 
Glasgow, Scotland, Sunday, 
Dec. 2, 1832. When about 4 
years of age we moved to 
London, England. Came to 
New York in May, 1848. My 
father died in Memphis, Tenn. 
Came to Milwaukee in July, 
1849, and to Oceana in the 
summer of 1852. Early in 
1852 I kept a retail boot and 
shoe store in Wilmington, 
Delaware. When peaches 
were ripe hucksters would 
come to the store and sell 
them, half a peck for 5 cts. 
I then determined to try 
peaches in Oceana Co. When 
I came to the county I had a (piantity of pits which I planted. 
Thus the first peach planting in the county by a white man was 
)ny work. Also in 1853 I sent for and planted the first flower seeds 
and I set out the first ap]Dle trees one of which is now living on the 
old O'Hanlon farm. There are one or two of the old peach trees 
still living. INIy mother has sold peaches from these at 25 cts. each 
that measured 9^2 inches around, and with one or two exceptions 
they [have borne every year. Some one will find this knowledge 
worth ten times the x^rice of the book, viz.: That when your bud- 
ded stock fails your seedlings will give you a crop. 




WM. -J. HAUGHEY, aged 30 yrs. 



AND HUSIXESS IMEX OF TO-DAV 



243 



Wlien I fame to Claybanks the settlers were all shingle and bolt 
makers or fishermen. I'sually each man engaged in all three occu- 
pations. Every one, however, was willing to share with a neighbor 
his last i)otato or piece of pork, or for want of thb above go fishing 
and divide the liaul. We sent to Milwaukee and Cliicago then for 
our supplies, including whisky; but little was raised here then. I 
have started and cleared three farms, and slept in the snow to 
make roads from LeRoy to Pentwater. 

Have served the jpeople as Constable, Justice, Treasurer, Highway 
Commissioner, School Inspector, School Director and Postmaster. 
Was married to Miss Catherine Anna Clark, at St. Louis, April 19, 
1855, and with my wife came back to Michigan the same year. 

Have been blessed with seven children, as follows: Maria Eliza- 
beth, William James, Tliomas Jefi'erson, Anna Jane, Lucy Clark, 
Lottie iNIargaret, Wilhelniina (deceased). 

Was drafted in Nov., 1863, for Co. F, 2nd Mich. Cav. Served 
about ten days, furnished a substitute and was discharged. 

Built two saw and shingle mills. Kept store since ISOi. Of late 
years kept meat n:iarket and grocery store. My mill was burned in 
1871; rebuilt and sold to E.D.Richmond & Co. in 1873. Moved to 
Pentwater and kept the Sherman House; was burned out in the INI. 
E. Church fire and lost all but my grit. Was burned out again by 
a gambler in 1889, but am still hammering away. In 1873 signed 
the crusade pledge and have never tasted alcohol since. Same year 
quit using tobacco, which I had used from childhood. 

I live in hoj)es of seeing Oceana County prosperous, fruitful and a 
prohibition county."' 



MKS. W.M. J. HAl'GHEY. 

Mrs. Catherine Anna Haughey 
was born May 30, 1835, in Bai- 
rn ah an. County Longford, Ire- 
land. Came to America in the 
fall of 1841. Settled in Potts- 
ville, Schuylkill Co., Pa. In '52 
removed to St. Louis, Mo., 
where both father and mother, 
Patrick and Mary Clark, died of 
cholera. She met Mr. Haughey 
there and was married to him 
by Rev. Father P. J. Ryan, 
at the Cathedral, April 
19, 1855. They came to 
^Michigan on their wedding trip 
to visit ^Ir. Haughey 's mother, 




IlAfcnKV 



2.11 



OCEANA COUNTY PIONKERS 



thiMi living in Oceana Co. She induced the young couple to settle 
iio.-i f her, and Mr. Haughey bought land, settled down and commenc- 
ed to clear. He planted corn, potatoes, squash, carrots, jieas, 
b:.:ns, &.C. He believed in trying to raise crops, and did. How 
nice it seemed to get a mess of sweet corn for dinner, or a mess of 
potatoes or squash. Mr. H. cleared about two acres by hand that 
she helped to log, and without a team. She helped him pile brush, 
roll logs, etc. They have partly cleared three farms, one on Sec. 6, 
Benona; one on Sec. 17, Golden, and one on Sec. 2, Hart. Seven 
childi-en blessed the union, five girls and two boys, all living but the 
youngest, Wilhelmina, whom "God gave and whom God has taken 
away; blessed be the name of the Lord." She died Aug. 16, 1875, 
of scarlet fever. 

Mr. and ]Mrs. Haughey have done their full share for Oceana Co., 
and while not enjoying in full measure the fruits of their labor, they 
have the satisfaction of knowing that tlirough their work others 
find enjoyment. Both are residents of Pentwater at this time, 
pleasantly situated. 

MARIA o'hanlon— 1852. 
Alalia Goldie was born in Dawn, Patrick County, Ireland, Mar. 

10, 1816. Removed to Glas- 
gow, in 1826. Was married to 
John Haughey, shoemaker, in 
Glascow, on the 8th day of Aug. 
1831. There were two chfidren 
born to them, one William J. 
Haughey, and one Maria, who 
died in Glascow. Her husband 
died in Memphis, Tenn., after 
their removal to America. Re- 
moved to America in 1848. She 
was married again in ISIilwaukee 
in the summer of 1852 to Jas. 
O'Hanlon, and shortly thereaf- 
ter removed with her husband 
to Claybanks, Oceana Co. ^Ir. 
O'Hanlon was born in Lurigan, 
Ireland, and came to Claybanks in 1819, which after his marriage 
became his permanent home. He was ]jrominently identified with 
the early history of the county and held many of the local oflices. 
It is said that Mrs. O'Hanlon owned the first cow brought to the 
county, taught the first two terms of school in Claybanks, and was 
the person for whom the township of (Jolden was named. 'Mv. 
O'Hanlon died April 9, 1887, and INIrs. O'Hanlon March 14, 1888. 




MRS. .J. o'hanlon — aged 46. 



AXI) BUSINESS >[EX OF TO-DAY 



24:5 



JOHN .M U N S OX— 1 8 .") 4 . 



Jolni Mnnson was born in 
Ulrika, Sweden, May 11, '29. 
He was the eldest child of 
Muns and Anna Hanson, and 
X^assed his childhood in his 
native place, with his broth- 
ers Xels and August, and his 
sister Anna. Following the 
national custom the sons be- 
came known as John, Nels 
and August Munson. Anna 
afterward married Swen An- 
derson, and now lives in the 
township of Claybanks, not 
far from her brothers, Nels 
and August, who also made 
for them sel ves homes in 
America, far from the graves 
of their j^arents, who are 
buried near the old home in 





.MliS. JOHX MINSOX. 

^lessrs. Holver and Tolef Biady. I 



JOHX MUXSOX. 

Sweden. 

At an early age John ]\Iun- 
son began to earn his way in 
the world, and as he grew 
older, the desire to seek his 
fortune in the New World 
grew stronger, and the sum- 
nier of his twenty-fifth year 
marked an epoch in his life. 
He had now, by dint of hard 
labor and self-denial accumu- 
lated enough to pay his way 
to America, and in Aug., '51, 
he reached Chicago. Not 
meeting with success in the 
city he soon crossed over to 
Michigan, where he began 
work for Mr. Harvey Tower, 
of Claybanks. getting out 
shingle bolts. After a short 
time he left ]Mr. Tower and 
performed the same labor for 
n 18oo he bought 40 acres of 



246 OCEAXA COrXTY PIONEERS 

land in the township of Chxybanks, and began getting out shingles 
and shingle bolts for himself. Disposing of this to his brother Xels 
he bought, in 1856, 160 acres in the townshijD of Benona, where be 
passed the remainder of his life. He immediately began clearing 
and improving his new purchase. He first built a small log house 
in which he lived until the new and commodious frame structure 
now the home of the family was erected in 1864. 

Nov. 0, 1861, Mr. Munson was mai'ried in Benona to ]Mrs. Fred- 
erika Lun Peterson, formerly of Lunberg, Sweden. Mrs. IMunson 
was a daughter of Swen and Christina Lun, and came to Oceana 
Co. Aug. 30, 1861. ^Ir. and ]\Ii's. Munson labored to improve their 
surroundings, and to build up a home founded upon mutual love 
and faith, which but grew tlie stronger as the years advanced. 

In 1879 he bought 80 acres more, adjoining his original purchase 
on the north. Hen; j\Ir. Munson toiled away the months and years 
literally carving his home out of the j)rimeval forest; and as acre 
after acre was cleared, he began to see the results and enjoy the 
fruits of his labors, and to gather about bun some of the comforts 
of life. As the crops increased it became necessary'to put up build- 
ings in which to store the harv^ests, and granary, horse barn and 
hay barn, together with cattle sheds and outbuildings were erected 
in succession. 

In the midst of his labors, at a time when the future seemed so 
full of the realization of his hopes, Mr. Munson was called home. 
While at work in oat-harvest he was prostrated by a sunstroke, 
and after but one week's illness, he died Sept. 4, 1883, in the ooth 
year of his age. 

He left a wife, still living at the old homestead in Benona, and 
eight children to mourn his loss. He was buried from the Scandi- 
navian Church, Claybanks, Sept. 6, 1883, Elder Chic, of Montague, 
and Rev. Hvid officiating. His children, in order of birth, are 
Frank A., John C, Sophia M., Nettie J., Osear L., Osear F., Her- 
man ()., Mary H. and Edward G. All are living except Osear L., 
who died Aug. 15, 1873. Sophia M. was married to Rev. Charles 
Coors, Nov. 27, 188U. 

INIr. ^Nlunson was a self-educated man, of sound judgment, honest, 
faithful and God-fearing. Quiet and somewhat diffident in manner, 
he was a man thoroughly liked and resi:)ected wherever known. For 
forty-six years he had been a member of the Lutheran Church, and 
taught its precepts by his daily walk. A member of no secret order 
he made his own way, winning all men for his friends. In politics 
he was a republican, although not given to much fruitless discus- 
sion. A kind, indulgent father, and tender, affectionate husband, 
Mr. Munson was deeply loved by his family, and in dying he not on- 
ly left his family comfortably well off in this world's'goods, but be- 



AND BUSIXKSS MEX OF TO-l)AV 



2r, 



queathed them an inheritance of inestimable value, a good name, 
sijotless and above rei^roaeh. 



ENOCH T. MUGFORD— 1854. 

Enoch T. ^lugford was born in Portland, ]Me., J 
settled in Chicago in 1852, 
following the trade of car^^en- 
ter and joiner. Settled in 
Oceana County in 1854, iirst 
locating at Pentwater, where 
he followed the occuj)ations 
of tishing and lumbering. In 
1858 he removed to Hart 
township, where he has since 
resided. iMarch 1, 1851, he 
mar]'ied Martha Jane Nutter, 
who was born in Wolfsboro, 
N. H., Sept., 1828. She came 
to Oceana County with her 
husband, and with him has 
endured the trials and enjoy- 
ed the pleasures of jpioneer 
life. Ten children were born 
to them, only four of whom 
survive. Mr. Musford is a 



an. 14, 1829. 





MRS. K. T. :MUGFOaD. 



E. T. MUGFOKl). 

man of positive convictions, 
and possessed of great men- 
tal force. Had he educated 
himself in one of the jjrofes- 
sions in early life he would 
have attained eminence. As 
it is, he has alwaj's been a 
l)rominent figure in his locali- 
ty. In April, 1890, for the 
sixteenth time in succession 
was he elected Supervisor of 
Hart township. He is a 
]irominent Mason, Odd Fel- 
low, and a member of differ- 
ent farmer's organizations. 
Has been prominent in organ- 
izing and maintaining the 
Oceana Co. Pioneer Associa- 
tion. He owns a small fax-m 



248 



OCEANA COUNTY PIONEERS 



in Hart township, but is not engaged in farming. He was appoint- 
ed Postmaster of Hart by President Cleveland, which office he held 
until recently. He is still in the enjoyment of health and has the 
promise of many years of usefulness. 



CHARI.ES BLAXCK— 18.54:. 



Charles Blanck was born in Germany, August 30, 1812. His par- 



ents' names were Carl and Maria. 




CHARLES BLANCK. 



In early lite he married Sophia 
Schumacker, by whom was 
born to him three sons and 
three daughters. His wife and 
children are all dead, he alone 
surviving. He came to Oceana 
County in August, 1854. 
Cleared a farm north of Pent- 
water, suffered and struggled 
with the other pioneers. He 
has held local township offi- 
ces several times, and is now 
village ferryman for Pentwa- 
ter. He lives by himself, is 
kindly disposed and ready to 
crack a joke with any one. 
He has one brother and one 
sister in the Old Country and 
one sister in this country, but 
has not seen or heard from 
any of them in inany years. 



WILLIAM A. OLINDER— 1855. 



William A. Olinder, son of Frederick and Uoratha Olinder, was 
born in Sweden, June 19, 1835. He came to Oceana County July 
14, 1855, and worked in saw mills summers and driving team win- 
ters until 1880, when he moved on to his farm in Benona town- 
ship, where he now resides. He enlisted in Bat. B, 1st ]\Iich. L. A. 
as a private, serving 18 months to the close of the war. He joined 
the Masonic order at Pentwater in 1867, and helped to organize 
Benona Lodge No. 289, at Stony Creek, of which he was a char- 
ter member. Since then the lodge moved to Shelby where it now 



AND BUSINESS MEN OF TO-DAY, 



249 



meets. In June, 1889, he 
joined the Shelby Lodge No. 
34:4, I. O. 0. F. March 2, 
1880, he married Mvs. Sarah 
L. Morse, avIio was born at 
Upton, Oxford Co., ]\Iaine, 
Feb. 15, 18-45. She is a 
daughter of Samuel and Nan- 
cy C. Grover. Apr. 15,1867, 
she was married to Y. X. 
Morse, and is the mother of 
three children, two sons and 
one da\ighter by him. Mar-; 
ried in 1880 to Mr. Olinder, ' 
having been six years a wid- 
ow. ^Ir. and Mrs. Olinder 
now have a line home. The 
farm consists of 160 acres of 
which 120 are under good 
cultivation. He threshed in 
1889 one thousand, three 





'Wyi. OLINDER. 

hundred and ninety bushels 
of grain. Their house is, up- 
right 16x26, wing 16x24, 
both parts 18 feet high, con- 
taining twelve rooms, with 
cellar under the whole; wood- 
house 14x28; cattle barn 
46x60; horse barn 30x40; 
granary 16x24; corn crib 
9x30; hoghousel6x32; sheep 
shed 18x40; and well house 
10x18 with windmill. 



MKS. W.M. OI.IXDER. 



hii:am e. urssELL— 1855. 
Hiram E. Russell, son of .Tosiah Ilussell, and one of Oceana's ear- 
liest pioneers, was born in New York in 1830. He moved to Michi- 



250 



OCEAXA COUNTY PIONEEKS 



gan when six years old. 




At the age of ten with his parents, moved 
to Otisco, Ionia Co., where 
they resided a short time, 
and^ thence to Greenville, 
which they found but a vast 
wilderness. They spent sev- 
eral years here engaged in 
milhvrighting and rafting 
lumber on the Flat and 
Grand Rivers, from Green- 
ville to Grand Haven. In 
185.5 he came to Oceana Co. 
At this time not even the In- 
dians had reached this fer- 
tile region, or but few whites. 
The i3lace where Hart now 
stands was one solid growth 
of forest. He followed the 
section lines from Whisky 
H. E. RussEi.i.. Creek until he arrived at the 

place he now occupies. He 

at once began the laborious 

task of clearing away the 

forest and converting the 

proud old wilderness into a 

home, where he lived a 

bachelor's life until 1865, 

when he was married to 

Betsey E. PoUey, who Avas 

born in Lee Co., Iowa, 

in 1843. In 1815 she mov- 
ed with her parents, Daniel 

and Hannah Polley, to Ash- 
tabula Co., Ohio, where she 

resided until 1861, when 

she came to Oceana County 

and taught school until 

February, 1865, when she 

was married to Mr.Eussell. 

They have two children, one 

son and one daughter. 

Mr. Kussell has a farm con- 
sisting of 210 acres of which 200 acres are cleared and 20 acres of 

this is set to fruit trees. He is engaged in line stock raising as well 

as fruit growing. He has filled several j)laces of public trust in the 

way of township and county oflices. 




MRS. H. E. KUSSELIi. 



AND BUSINESS MRX OK TO-DAV. 



251 



ISAAC HACiGERTV— 185<) 



Isaac llagiierty. a son of 
)rra and Kebekah Hagger- 
;y, ^Yas born in Oneida Co., 
ST. Y., Aug. 10, 1828. He 
eft New York State in 1856 
;oing to Cliicago where he 
.•emained one summer, then 
'oming to Oceana County 
n the fall of 1856. He im- 
nediately commenced cleav- 
ing up a farm and continu- 
ed ux)on the farm until '61, 
rthen he enlisted in Co. B, 
5th ^Visconsin Infantry 
and served three years. At 
the expiration of his term 
of enlistment hereturned to 
this county to his farm. 
Since then his occupation 
has been farming. ^Mr.Hag- 
ijerty is a man much respect- 
ed by his neighbors, and has 




'ff^ cf"' 



ISAAC HAGGEUTV 




been two years Treasurer of 
Claybanks township. Oct. 
10, 1852 he was married 
to INIiss Elizabeth Salmon, 
a daughter of Heman and 
Betsey Salmon, who was 
born at Hamburg, Erie Co., 
N. Y., Jan. 13, 1830. They 
have one child, a son, who 
is now living at home and 
assisting his father with the 
farm work. Mr. Haggerty's 
present residence is on the 
SWI4 of the SW14 of Sec. 25, 
Claybanks, which he has 
under fine improvement 
with a large, comfortable 
house and commodious 
l)arns find out buildings. 



-MKS. I. IIAOOEUTY. 



252 



OCEAXA COUNTY PIOXEERS 



JAMES G. FARUELL — 1856. 

James G. Farrell, an Oceana County production, was born in 
Claybanks, June 29, 1856. His parents were Owen and Catherine 
Farrell. The subject of our sketch was born and raised upon a 
farm and has always followed that business. He has been elected 
by his fellow townsmen to the position of Superintendent of Schools 
two terms and Treasurer two terms. As a public officer he has al- 
ways given good satisfaction to all. He takes a great interest in 
educational matters and has taught school winters for the past 
nine years. He is a good writer, many of the racy articles in the 
different county papers being from his pen. He is a young man of 
whom the people of his section are justly proud. 



Tin. IKA JEXKS — 1856. 

Dr. Ira Jenks was born Sept. 4, 1808, in the township of Homer, 
Cortland Co., N. Y. When he was nine years of age his parents re- 
moved to the township of Scipio, Cayuga Co., remaining there one 
year, then removing to the township of Sheldon, Genesee Co. From 

thence, after another year, 
removing to Middlebury, 
now Wyoming Co., remain- 
there till the subject of this 
sketch was 24 years of age. 
At the age of 21 Ira took 
upon himself the entire re- 
sponsibility of his father's 
family, consisting of three, 
besides his sister and her 
two children. At 20 he 
learned the shoemaker's 
trade. In the Patriot war 
in '38 he was in active ser- 
vice in the artillery as a 
fifer. At the age ot 36 he 
received an injury in one 
hand and wrist that par- 
tially crippled him for life. 
DR. IRA JEXKS. At this time he began the 

study of medicine. At the 
age of 37 he was married to Miss Direna L. Davis, with whom he 
became acquainted while doctoring lier mother, 40 miles from 
home. In 1846 they removed to the township of Portland, Ionia 
Co., Mich. Their experience there was a severe one as he was sick 
a whole vear with ague and acute bronchitis, and his wife with ma- 




AXn BUSINESS MEN OF TO-DAV. 233 

larial fever over 4 months. This exiierience of sickness and want 
while at Portland was the most severe and trying of any in their 
lives. 

In 1848 he removed to Roxland, Eaton County. At about this 
time he obtained a warrant for IGO acres of land for his services in 
the Patriot war. 

In 1850 he removed to Greenville, INIontcalm Co., remaining three 
years. From thence to North Oakfield, Kent County, in 1853, and 
from thence in ^Nlay, 1866, he began his work as a "pathfinder" in 
the Oceana Co. wilds. He soon located his lands in Hart township 
on what is known as Prospect Hill, his nearest neighbor then being 
A. C. Kandall, at Shelby Corners. The interesting vicissitudes con- 
cerning his experience in this county as a xjioneer would fill a vol- 
ume, and are better known to many of the citizens of this county 
than can be chronicled in the short si^ace allotted in this volume. 
Physically Dr. Jenks was a "man of iron." Since the age of 21 he 
has been an active member of the Baptist Church, having been a 
deacon over 40 years. 

Tlie Dr. was in every sense of the word a self-made man. He was 
a conversationalist of great ability, instructive and entertaining. 
For the last few years his eyesight has been gradually failing till he 
is now nearly blind, ^t the age of 81 he is in the full jiossession of 
all the faculties of his mind, and he says he can walk a mile as quick 
as he ever could. Having been intimately acquainted with Elder 
Darling about 30 years, he has arranged with him to preach his fu- 
neral sermon, choosing for his text, Job 14:14: "If a man die shall 
he live again? All the days of my appointed time will I Avait till 
my change come." He has his tombstone placed where his wife, 
who died eight years ago, is lying, and in faith and liojoe awaits the 
day of his coming rest from earth's tempestuous labor, care and 
sorrow. 

.JOHN D. HAXSOX— 1850. 

John D. Hanson, one of the early settlers of this county, and the 
very first to select and purchase land, was born in Christiana, Nor- 
way, in the year 1818, and sailed to America when but a young 
man, and first settled in ^lilwaukee and afterwards, in the year 
1843, he located in Whitehall, Mich., going in the lumber business 
with Charles INIears, and for several years sailing and owning ves- 
sels himself. It was while sailing that he discovered the great Clay 
Banks country, and where he afterwards located what is now known 
as the "Hanson farm," the first land located and purchased in Oce- 
ana Co., and whereon he moved in the year 1836. He had improv- 
ed and cleared up the farm previous to his moving on the same. 

He moved his family from Whitehall to Claybanks in a yawl boat 



254 



OCEAXA COUNTY PIONEERS 



in the month of ]May. He sent to lonici to be ground the tirst wheat 
ever grown in the county, and it took nine days to make the trip. 

His farm house was always headquarters for the lawyers and 
judges, and many were the jokes and stories told and pleasant eve- 
nings spent at his house while the county seat was located at Whis- 
ky Creek. He was always prominent in the politics of the county 
and was a republican with strong convictions. He held the office 
of Deputy U. S. Marshal for several years, and was Consul to Nor- 
way and Sweden for a number of years. 



MRS. BETSEY HANSON. 




;Mrs. Betsey Hanson was born at Ivingsl)urg, Norway, in the year 
1823. Her parents dying when she was but a small child she was 

left to the care of an uncle. 
At the age of about 16 she 
left Norway for America with 
her uncle and landed at Mil- 
waukee, Wis. There she re- 
sided for a i^eriod of about 5 
years, wnen she was married 
to her late husband, John D. 
Hanson, when she removed 
directly to Whitehall, INIich. 
This was about the year 1845, 
her husband having been in 
business there with Charles 
Mears for several years lum- 
bering. She was the first 
white woman to see White- 
hall, or White Lake as it was 
then called, and lived two 
months before any other 
white woman arrived, and 
her neighl)ors and visitors were found among the Indians, which 
language she could speak fluently after she had lived there a short 
time. She lived there until the year 1856, when she 
removed with her husband and family to CI ay banks where 
she has since i-esided. She is the mother of nine children, seven of 
whom are still living: 3Irs. G. C. Myers, Charles H., John D. S., My- 
ron W., Wintield S., and Fremont M., all of this county, and Mrs. 
Lillie L. Peck, of Montague. Since childhood she has been a mem- 
ber of the "Lutheran Episcopal Church." 



Li^/T/f"^ 



elf' 



MRS. BETSEY HANSON. 



AND lUSIXESS MEN OF TO-DAY 



255 



JOHN ]). S. HANSON — 1856. 



John D. S. Hanson was born Jan. 1, 1852, at Wliiteliail, Mich. 
He lived there until four years later, when he moved with his i:)ar- 
ents to Claybanks, this Co., on what is known as the "Hanson 
farm"' on the banks of lake Michigan, and oneof the most beautiful 
sites on the eastern shore of said lake. Here he lived and grew up 
to manhood, going to school, teaching school and working on the 
farm alternately, with two years at Hillsdale College, this State, 
until the year 1876, wlien he became proprieter of the old home- 
stead through the sickness of his father, John I). Hanson. Here he 
had good success as a farmer, and held the offices of Constable, Su- 
l)ervisor and School Inspector until the year 1882, when he was 
elected to the ofhce of Sheriff, 
and on Jan. 1st, he leniovcd 
with his family to Hart, the 
count}' seat, where he still re- 
sides. In 1881 he was re-elect- 
ed to the oOice of Sheriif by 
an increased inajority. He 
also held the office of Deputy 
V. S. ^Marshal for several 
years. While holding the of- 
lice of Sheriff he devoted all 
his spare time to the study of 
law, being encouraged thereto 
by Hon. F. J. Kussell. then 
("ircuit Judge, and in the year 
1885, after a thorough exam- 
ination by the Hon. W. E. 
Ambler, of Pentwater, Hon. 
F.W.Cook, of Muskegon, and 
<;en. L. G. Rutherford, of 
Hart, as committee, was ad- 

jnitted to the Bar of Oceana County as a full-Hedged attorney and 
solicitor. In 1886 he'was nominated for County Clerk, but was de- 
feated by 31 votes. He was appointed Clerk of the Senate Commit- 
tees on Cities and Villages and Counties and Townships, in the 
Michigan Legislature of 1887, which position he held during the ses- 
sion with ability. In; Jan., 1888, he entered the law ofiice of M. H. 
Brooks, Esq., to study and practice law, and at the convention of 
same year was nominated and afterwards elected to the ofhce of 
Prosecuting Attorney, the duties of which he is nosv performing 
with success. In Jan., 1889, he was appointed Probate Clerk by 
the Hon. W. H. Chun-hill, Probate Judge for Oceana County, which 




.1. 11. S. HANSON. 



256 



OCEAXA COUNTY PIONEERS 



appointment he still holds. Is Village Attorney of Hart. Was 
census enumerator for Claybanks in 1880. In politics Mr. Hanson 
is and always has been a republican, and a firm believer in the 
American policy of protection. In habits he is strictly temperate 
in all things. Though not a member of any Church, he believes in 
the doctrines taught by the disciples of Christ, and the Sabbath 
will invariably find him in the Church. On the 22nd day of Oct., 
1876, he was married to Miss Ada Tower, a neighbor and acquaint- 
ance from early childhood, and a most estimable and cultivated 
lady. 



Mrs. Ada Hanson, 




ff 



MRS. J. D. S. HANSON 



the M 
four of 
D wight 



E. Church. The union 
whom are now living: 
Hanson. 



:MRS. JOHN D. S. HANSON. 

daughter of Harvey and Laura Tower, of 
Grand View, Oceana Co., 
Mich., was born in rhetown- 
ship of Benona, this coun- 
ty. She received her educa- 
tion in the district schools 
of Benona, Pentwater and 
Claybanks, and attended 
the union school of Hart, 
under the tutorship of Prof. 
S. Edson, and finished her 
education in the high school 
of Grand Rapids, Mich., 
under Prof. Milner. She be- 
gem teaching school at the 
age of 16 years, and taught 
eighteen terms, nine of them 
being in one school house. 

She was married to John 

D. S. Hanson Oct. 22, 1876, 

at Whitehall, Mich., by the 

Rev. D. M. Ward, pastor of 

has been blessed with six children, 

Laura B., Edith B., Vernie I. and J. 



a'^^J// Wji^/^y'i^ 



-•fH' 



AMOS C. RANDALL— 1856. 

Amos C. Randall was born in Yates County, New York, Feb. 8, 
1818. He settled in Shelby township, Oceana County, May 1, '56. 
In 1869 he settled on section 11, Hart township, where he has since 
resided. Has been Town Clerk, Highway Commissioner and Justice 
of the Peace. The latter office he held three terms. Was married 
to Sophronia Anderson, Feb. 26, 1840. To them were born five 



AND BUSINESS MEN OP TO-DAY. 



257 



sons and one daughter. One son, Lewis L., died in 1864 from dis- 
ease contracted in the U. S. service during the rebellion. Mr. Ran- 
dall is still living, although in teeble health. 



EDGAR D. RICHMOND — 1857. 

Edgar D. Richmond was born to Edmund and Olive Richmond in 
Euclid, Cuyahoga Co., Ohio, ^lay 5, 1837. His early life was spent 
upon his father's farm. In 1840 he entered the Shaw Academy in 
East Cleveland, and remained two years. After this he clerked in 
a dry goods store until the spring of 1857, when he came to Pent- 
water to work for Charles Mears. Mr. Richmond remained in chai'ge 
of Mr. Mears' store until 1862, when he and Woodruff Chapin went 
into business at Pentwater. After two and one-half years they 
took in John Bean, Jr., as partner and together bought out Hart, 
Maxwell ct Co. In 1862 they built a shingle mill and sawed the 
first shingles on the shore. They afterwards sold out to Phillips & 
Browne. He was also in 
1872 in partnership with 
Mr. F. W. Ratzel in general 
merchandise, and still later 
with his brother-in-law, Mr. 
Dunwell. He removed to 
Hart in 1877 where he has 
continued to reside. He is 
now a large stockholder 
and cashier of the Oceana 
Co. Savings Bank at Hart. 
Also owner of some of the 

finest fruit and stock farms 

in tlie county. 
Aug. 3, 18o9, at Ionia he 

married Miss Josex^hine M. 

Rounds, by whom he had 

two sons, Eddie and Willie, 

both of whom are dead. 

Mrs. Richmond died July 6, 

1866. Nov., 1869, he mar- 
ried jNIiss Lydia L. Dunwell, 

of Allegan Co., by whom he.has had four children, two of whom, a 

daughter, Olive, and a s<!)in, Jerome, are living, and two, a daughter 

Daisy, and a son, are dead. 
Mr. Richmond has been Postmaster at Pentwater, held several 

townshii> and village olfices, been elected and served five terms as 

Clerk and Register of Deeds." His nomination upon the republican 




E. D. RICHMOMD. 



258 



OrEAN-A COJN'TY PIJXEEiS 



ticket always added strength to the ticket. He is popular with all 
classes. Is enterprising and one of the most sympathetic friends in 
case of sickness or distress. 




CHRISTIAN MILLER JENSEN — 1857. 

Christian ^liller Jensen was born in Denmark, March 26, 1826. 

His pai'ents were Jens and 
ISIaren Miller Nelsen. and 
following the custom of that 
country his name became 
Jensen (Jens' son). His 
early years were spent in 
his native counti'y where he 
became a sailor among a 
nation of sailors On A^^r. 
13, 1H52, he was married 
in Denmark to Frederekke 
^I. A. Halstibroe, who has 
proved a faithful wife to 
him during all these years, 
bearing him five children, 
two sons and three daugh- 
ters. They moved upon 
the farm where they now 
c. M. JENSEN. li^'t? on April 10, 1858. He 

landed at Pentwater Oct. 

13, 18.-)7, with $80 in his 
pocket, without any experi- 
ence in farming, having al- 
ways been a sailor, but with • 
a stout heart and determin- 
ed purpose. The result of 
these qualities is a fine farm, 
in fact one that attracts uni- 
versal attention from all who 
have occasion to pass over 
the main traveled road from 
Pentwater to Lvidington thro' 
North Weare, composed of 
300 acres, 125 improved, 
with a good bearing orchard 
to which he has recently add- 
ed, a large well built house mrs. c. m. jensen. 
and other good buildings. _jMr. Jensen has gone through the trying 




AND HUSIN'ESS MEN OF TO-DAY 



259 



experiences of jpioneer life, in coJiipaiiy with his fait lifiil helpmeet, 
but, as he states, looliing back along the track he lias followed he 
has nothing to regret in coining to Oceana Co., and is well satisfied 
with the results of the labor and hardships of early settlement. It 
is needless for us to call attention to the fact that Mr. and Mrs. 
Jensen are respected by all who know them, as their wide circle of 
friends and acquaintances are well aware of it. 



OLIVER K. WHITE— 1857. 

Oliver K. Wiiite was born in Peru, Clinton Co.. X. V., Feb. 15, 
1831. He is a son of Hosea and .Vnna White. \\'lien l)ut three 
months of age he removed with his parents to Erie Co.. X. Y., where 
lie remained until reaching his majoiity. in tiie mean time receiving 
a common school educa- ,„~^ 

tion. After comnig of age 
he moved to Cattaraugus Co, 
where for two years beheld 
the positions of Township 
Superintendent of Schools 
and Justice of the Peace. 
In It- 57 he came to Oceana 
Co., locating in thethen wil- 
derness of Grant township, 
"where he opened up a new 
farm where hehas since con- 
tinued to I'eside. He lias 
cleared and improved his 
farm and now has a fine 
place with good buildings, 
including a large and com- 
modious house. Mr. White 
has been honored by the 
residento of his townsliip 
with the oflice of Supervis- 
or six years, and by the Co. 
by the offices of Sheriff dur- 
ing 1875-6, and Reijresent- 

ative in the State Legislature during 1877-8. He lia> aLso held the 
offices of School Inspector, Commis.sioner, and County Surveyor. 
He has always discharged the duties of his variou- positions with 
fidelity and strict honesty, thus winning hi.-< way liom one position 
to another. Mr. White was married in 1852 to .Mi.ss Nancy Bart- 
lett, who came with him to Oceana Co. and has proved a faithful 
and loving wife and mother. They now have six children, three 
sons and three daughters. • .>• -• 




'•■^#^ 



H."" 



O. K. WUIIK 



260 



OCEANA COUNTY PIONEERS 




MRS. O. K. WHITE. 



JASON CARPENTER— 1857. ■ 

Jason Carpenter was born in the township of Ira, Rutland Co., 

Yt., near the foot of theGreen 
. Mountains, May 28, 1S20. 
His father's name was Saraur 
el Carpenter, and his moth-;, 
ei'^'s niaiden name was Rox^i- 
lana Newton. He graduated 
from what was known as the 
"Tower School House" at the 
a£;e of ten years in the "A, B 
C and the multiplication ta- 
ble." He was compelled to 
walk two and one-half miles 
over a high range of moun- 
tains to school. In the fall 
of 1834 he, with his parents, 
moved to what was then the 
far West, Ohio, and settled 
J. CARPENTER. near Sandusky City. There 

they lived until April, 1836, when they came to ^Michigan and locat- 
ed in Armada, Macomb Co., 40 miles north of Detroit. After help- 
ing his father to pay for his farm, upon which he lived until his 




AND BUSINESS MEN OF TO-DAY. 



261 



death, Jason, at the a^eof nineteen years, left the paternal roof and 
embarked upon life's ocean for himself, his strong hope being his 
sails and his taithful ax serving as a rudder. For some years he 
drifted with the tide of circumstances until in 1847 he found him- 
self in Grand Rapids where for the time being he cast anchor. Mr. 
Carpenter still remembers with what astonishment the natives wit- 
nessed his de.xterity with his ax. In 1850 he was married to Miss 
Larissa A. Loomis, the faithful partner of his life to this time. She 
was born at Independence, Alleghany Co., N. Y., in 182.5. Her par- 
ents wore Andi'ew and Lau- 
ra S. (Clark) Loomis. When 
she was yet a babe her par- 
ents moved to Exeter, Lu- 
zerne Co., Pa., where they 
remained until l^'-39, w hen 
they ca-me to Walled Lake, 
Oakland Co., IMich. There 
they lived two and a half 
years, then removed to the 
town of Walker, Kent Co., 
about seven miles north of 
Grand Rapids. There she 
lived with her parents until 
her marriage with Mr. Car- 
Ijenter in 1850, coming with 
him to Oceana Co. in 1^57. 
Since then she has faithful- 
ly borne her share of the fa- 
tigues and difficulties of pioneer life. In June, ] 587, Mr. Carpenter 
with his wife, came to Oceana Co., locating in Claybanks. At that 
time the county was almost an unbroken wilderness, giving new- 
comers a prospect of plenty of hard work. That they have done 
their part in making the "wilderness to blossom as the rose" no 
one can doubt when he sees the proofs in their present surround- 
ings. Mr. and Mrs. Carpenter have had a famUy of two sons and 
three daughters. Mr. Carpenter has followed farmiwg as a rule, 
but was in mercantile business in Berlin, Ottawa Co., one year, and 
one year in this county. He has been honored by his fellow citizens 
with a number of offices, having been Township Clerk, Conmiission- 
er of Highways, and two years Supervisor of Claybanks. His home 
for the past twenty years has been on Sec. 20, Shelby township. 
His residence is one that attracts attention from all passers by. 




.MRS. J. CARPENTER. 



262 



OCEANA COUNTY PIONEERS 



J03IAH RUSSELL 

Josiah Russell was born at Newry, 




.TOSIAH RUSSELL. 

his family to this county. He 
was a pioneer in fact, held 
many ot the local offices nec- 
essary to the organization of 
the dift'erent municiijal de- 
l^artments of government. 
He held the office of Judge of 
Probate and County Survey- 
or. It was due to his influ- 
ence as much as any one per- 
son that tiie county seat was 
removed to Hai-t. He died 
at Hart, April 25, 1874. 

Harriet Russell, the wifo of 
Josiah Russell, whose maiden 
name was Eggleston, was born 
at Colbrook, Litchfield Coun- 
ty, Conn., Aug. 30, 1808. 
She was the faithful compan- 
ion of her husband through 



,—1858. 

Oxford Co., Maine, A^jril 25^ 
1804. In early life he settled 
where the city of CTreenville 
now stands. He was elected 
County Judge of Ionia and 
Montcalm counties and open- 
ed the first Court of Record 
in the latter county. He 
served one term in the Michi- 
gan Senate, declining a re- 
nomination for that oHice. 
In 1856 he was induced by 
the report of a rich lead mine 
to come to this county, and 
l)eing well pleased with its ag- 
licnltural prospects he locat- 
ed on the west half of the sec- 
tion where the village of Hart 
now stands, but which owing 
to the sickness and deatli of 
his son George, was allowed 
to revert to the government. 
In March, 1858, he removed 




HAIiUIET RUSSELL. 



AND BUSINESS MKN OF TO-DAY. 



203 



all his pioneer experiences in Ionia, Montcalm and Oceana counties. 
She was the mother of ten children, of whom the Hon. Fred. J. Rus- 
sell was one, and H. E. Russell, a prominent farmer and stock-rais- 
er, of Hart, is another. She lived to a "ood old age loved and re- 
spected hy all who knew her, and died at Hart, June 27, 1884. 



HON. FREDERICK J. RUSSELI-. 

The Hon. Frederick J. Russell was born at Orion, Oakland Coun- 
ty, Mich.. Oct. 7, 1841. He was the si.\th child and fourth son of 
Josiah and Harriet Russell. As a boy he had but few educational 
advantages. The country was new and school facilities entirely 
lacking. Later on the country imi^roved, his father prospered and 
school advantages began to be realized. About this time his father 
lost his propertj-, then for the first time young Frederick realized 
the importance of XJi'ejiaring himself for his manhood's career. He 
then attended school at Cook's Corners, Ionia County, where he 
had for a school companion the present Justice of the Supreme 
Court, Allen B. Morse. While 
attending this school he did 
chores for his board. After- 
w;irds he taught school win- 
ters and attended the State 
Normal at Ypsilanti during 
tlie summers of 1861-2. He 
enlisted Auij. 8, 1862, in the 
21st ]Mich. Inf., but was re- 
jected by the examination 
board on account of the con- 
dition of his health. The fol- 
lowing spring he was taken ill 
with consumption and pro- 
nounced by the physicians 
beyond hope of recover}'. He 
however, in spite of all pre- 
diction.s, did recover and has 
since enjoyed good health. 
He borrowed law books from 
John ^lorse, father of Judge 
Morse, and commenced the 
study of law. Was admitted 

to the Bar Sept. 20, 1866, before Judge Littlejohn. He was first 
appointed, in January, 1867, Clerk of the Probate Court, and at 
the election in 1868 was nominated for the office of Circuit Court 
Commissioner, I'eceiving, in the ensuing election, J ,060 votes to his 




HON. F. J. RL'SSELL. 



264 OCEANA COUNTY PIONEERS 

opponent's three; and in 1870 he was re-elected by 930 votes, his 
opponent receiving 4. Soon after the expiration of his term in this 
office, in 1871, he was appointed Judge of Probate, and in the elec- 
tion in November, 1872, was elected to that office, and was again 
elected Judge of Probate, Nov. 7, 1876. He was on Jan. 5, 1881, 
appointed by Governor Jerome, Judge of the Fourteenth Ju- 
dicial Circuit, which was then composed of Oceana, Muskegon, Ne- 
waygo and Mecosta Counties, to fill a vacancy caused by the resig- 
nation of Judge Michael Brown; and at the ensuing election he was 
nominated and elected to that position without opposition. He 
served in this capacity until January, 1888; then, at the expiration 
of his term, he retired to private life, again taking up the practice 
of the law, and, in addition, looking after his other interests. Since 
1865 he has been engaged in farming at Hart and has been very 
successful. To him more than any other one person is due the in- 
troduction of Shorthorn cattle and Merino sheep into Oceana Co. 
He is also largelj' interested in various business enterprises, both 
at Hart and Muskegon. In 1875 he engaged in the banking busi- 
ness and is now one-third owner in the Citizens' Exchange Bank, at 
Hart, the pioneer banking institution of that place. In 1883 he as- 
sisted in organizing the Merchant's National Bank, of Muskegon, 
and is a member of its Board of Directors. He was one of the prin- 
cipal organizers and the first President of the Hart Improvement 
Company, a cori^oration organized to buij^d a hotel and make oth- 
er improvements in the town, which has successfullj^ accomplished 
its objects. He was also one of the organizers of the Muskegon 
Electric Light Company, of which he is Vice President; and he was 
a liberal subscriber and active worker in inducing the Chicago and 
West Michigan Railway Company to extend its road to Hart, 
which was done in the summer of 1880. He assisted in organizing 
the Oceana Countj'' Agricultural Society, and was its President for 
a number of terms, finally declining a re-election. He joined the 
Masonic order November 25, 1868, and on April 8, 1879, became a 
Knight Templar. He was instrumental in securing, for the erection 
of the Congregational Church, large subscriptions, in addition to his 
own handsome donation, and actively aided in the work, of which 
the present beautiful church structure is the result. In xDolitics he 
is a republican, and has been a delegate to many State Conventions. 
He has taken an active part in political matters, his voice being 
frequently heard on the stump in the interests of his party, and 
never without good effect. 

MRS. CAROLINE WiGTON— 1858. 

Caroline H. Wigton, daughter of Josiah and Harriet Russell, was 



AND BUSIXESS MEN OF TO-DAY, 



265 




MRS. WM. WIGTOX. 



born ill Otisco, Ionia County, 
Mich., Sept. 30, 1844. She 
lived with her parents and 
<!ame to Oceana County with 
them in 1858. On the 1st 
day of Feb., 1864, she was 
married to Sergeant Wesley 
Ij. White, who had enlisted in 
the 8th Michigan Infantry in 
Sept., 1860, who was wound- 
ed at the battle of the Wd- 
derness, IMay 7, 1864, and 
died at Campbell Hospital, 
Washington, Aug. 24, 1864, 
and is buried in the National 
Cemetery at Arlington 
Heights. On the 26th day of 
Jan., 1869, she was again 
married to William Wigton, 
son of Mahar Wigton, who 
died Sept. 24, 1872. She re- 
sides with her brother, F. J. Russell, and has for a number of years. 
DAVID DILL— 1858. 

David Dill, son of Clinton 
and Ann Dill, was born in 
Jackson Co., Pa., March 18, 
1838. Ten years later he 
moved with his parents to 
Milwaukee, Wis., where he re- 
mauied until 1853, when he 
started out for hipiself. In 
1857 he came to iNIichigan lo- 
cating at Muskegon, where he 
'lived until 1858 when became 
to Oceana Co., locating in 
Claybanks township. He at 
once went to work building 
Shim a home, being compelled 
to do all liis work by hand as 
there were no roads over 
__ , which to bring a team. He 
'/^^ procured his pi'ovisions as 
others did and backed them 
DAVID DILL. from stony Creek to his place. 




266 



OCEANA COUXTV PIOXEERS 




He continued improving his home until 1862, when he enUsted in 

Co. F. 5th jNIich. Cav. and 
went to the front. He was 
assigned to the Army of the 
Potomac and took i^art in 
all its battles until the spring 
of 1864, when he u'as sent to 
the Shenandoah Valley with 
Sheridan. There he took 
part in the various battles- 
and skirmishes until the sur- 
render of Lee. He took part 
•during his army life in 46 bat- 
tles and twice that many skir- 
mishes. At the close of the 
-J war he returned to this Co., 
-^'Zrwhere he left his family, and 
'~' returned to farming which he 
^-Cj^7 ;i/has since continued. In 1871 
// 1'/™^ l^g l^,^(j X^l^Q misfortune to lose 
Ijy Hre nearly all his buildings, 
etc., excexit the log house. In 
1858 Mr. Dill was married to 
[Miss Lucha L. Taylor, who 
Avas a daughter of Giles and Saniantha Taylor, and was born Feb. 
1, 1844, in the State of Ohio. With her parents she came to Ran- 
som Center, Michigan, in 1849, and in 1856 to Muskegon, where she 
■was living at the time of her marriage. She came with her husband 
to this countj'in 1858 and remained on the farmduring his absence 
in the Army. Mr. and Mrs. Dill lia\ e raised a family of four daugh- 
ters and three sons. They are now living in the enjoyment of the 
fruits oftheir earl}^ labors and hardships, and are respected by all 
who know them. 

WM. MYRON (fARDINER. 

Wm. Myron Gardiner was born at Stony Creek, in Oceana Coun- 
tj', Feb. 4, 1858, his i^arents being William and Rufena Gardiner, 
Avho still live in Benona. Mr. Gardiner is familiar with Oceana Co. 
history, having spent the greater portion of his life within its bor- 
ders. He was for a time grain buyer in the Star mills, Grand Rap- 
ids. Was salesman for Wheeler Bros., at Shelby, for three and a 
halt years, and for Paton & Andrus, at the same place, for four 
years. At present he is engaged in the grain, flour and feed busi- 
ness at Shelby. He is in every sense of the word a self-made man, 
who by industry and application to business has made foi' liimself 



MRS. DAVID DII.L. 



AND BUSINESS MEN OF TO-DAY 



267 




and family a pleasant and comfortable home. He is essentially an 
Oceana County prodiution and the county may well be proud of 
such a son. He is a leader 
among the Masonic fraterni- 
ty, being a memV)erof Benona 
Lodge No. 289, F. & A. M., at 
.Shelby; Oceana Chajjter No. 
56, 1\. A. ]\r., at Pentwater, 
and Apollo Commandery No. 
31, K. T., at Ludington. He 
is the present S. W. of Beno- 
na Lodge, and an active, eai 
nest member. He enjoys the 
confidence and respect of all 
who know him. He is em- 
phatically a domestic man, 
tinding his greatest pleasure ~ 
with wife and children in the 
pleasant home he has provid- 
ed for them. In hisefforts t o 
make home happy he is abl> 
seconded by his woilhy witt^ 
Mr. Gardiner was married 
April 27, 1880, to .Miss Lilian 

Elliott, and three sons and one daughter now gather about his 
fireside. 

FREDERICK W. POPKEY — 1858. 

Frederick W. Popkey was born in West Prussia, Feb. 2, 1851. 
His parents were Frederick William and ]\rary Louise PojDkey. He 
came to Oceana Co. in 1858 with his parents, and at the age of 
eight j-ears commenced helping his father to clear up the land where 
he now resides in Claybanks. When tlieycame upon the land there 
was not a stick of timber cut. With his small ax the subject of our 
sketch began pioneer life by cutting small trees and trimming, and 
tis he gi'ew older and stronger gradually came to hold his own with 
the men. He has assistsd in clearing every acre ot the eighty acre 
farm he now lives upon. On April 1, 1870, he wtis married to Miss 
Adelaide Hill, and there have been born to them six children, two 
sons and four daughters. 

ANDREW J. LNDERHILL — 1858. 

Andrew J. Underbill, son of Bartow and Eleanor Underbill, was 
born Sept. 27, 1832, at Brooklyn, N. Y. Resided at his birthplace 
until about six years of age, then moved to Sutlolk Co., where he 



W.M. M. CiARDIXER. 



268 



OCEANA COUNTY PIONEERS 



lived until coming to Detroit, Mich., in 1844. Resided at Detroit 
and other places with his parents until about 1857, when they 

came to Grand Haven, and 
from there to Muskegon. In 
1858 the subject of our sketch 
came to Pentwater where he 
engaged in fishing, which he 
followed until 1863, when he 
enhsted in Co. A 26th Mich. 
Inf., as Orderly Sergeant. On 
March 13, 1863, he was bre- 
vet ted 2nd Lieut., and re- 
signed on Oct. 10, 1863, re- 
turning to Pentwater. He 
then engaged in mercantile 
business, was afterwards P. 
M. for a number of years. He 
has since, to the present time 
been engaged in general ]iier- 
chandise and lumbering, now 
having a store at Pentwater^ 
A. J. UNDERHiLL. and is the owner of two lum- 

ber and shingle mills. He was elected Supervisor of Pentwater 
township in 1860, and again in 1873, and was one year appointed 
by the Township Board. In 1877 he was elected Clerk of the town- 
ship. In the village he has held the positions of Trustee six years, 
and President in 1878 and 1889. Mr. Underbill has always taken 
a strong interest in G. A. R. matters, having been Commander of 
the Pentwater Post in 1887. As a business man he is energetic and 
public spirited. Married Aug., 1864, to Miss Elizabeth Pringle, 
who died June 24, 1880. He has four children: Charles M., Grace, 
Herbert F. and Jessie. 




THOMAS COBLISTER— 1858. 

The subject of this sketch was born in the Isle of Man near the 
city of Pearl, on the 7th day of May, 1836, and died in Pentwater, 
Mich., Nov. 22, 1889, at the age of 53 years, 6 months and 15 days. 

Of the early life of Mr. Collister but little is known. When only 
eleven years of age he was apprenticed on board a merchant saiUng 
vessel and for some six years followed the life of a sailor. While 
the vessel lay at anchor at Quebec, Canada, he and a companion 
conceived the idea of running away, and watching a favorable op- 
portunity made their escape, and remained concealed until after the 
vessel left port. Then he engaged his services to a stevedore for 



AND BUSINESS MEN OP TO-DAY. 



269 



whom he worked a year or more. One day he was startled by the 
appearance of a vessel painted white, a sight he had never witness- 
ed before, and on going aboard found it was a lake vessel. He ship- 
ped aboard of it and after a tnne landed at Port Huron. Here he 
fell in with Henry Webb, Sr., who was luniberingin that section, and 
engaged his services to him. He followed Mr. Webb to Oceana Co. 
He located at Pentwater in 1858, and engaged in fishing. In com- 
pany with James Corlett he built the schooner Minnie Corlett. In 
1860 he married Mrs. Jane Woolman, sister of Edwin Nickerson, 
Avhich union was blessed with one child, a daughter. After only two 
years of married life Mr. Col- 
lister was left a widower, in 
which state he continued five 
years. On the 15th day of 
Oct., 1873, he was married 
to Miss Mary Tuttle, who for 
16 years was a devoted wife 
and loving companion, and 
who during his long illness 
was untiring in her efforts to 
mitigate his sufferings. 

In 1869 heformed a copart- 
nership with his brother-in- 
law, E. Nickerson, and engag- 
ed in lumbering, manufactur- 
ing flour, etc. The firm, also, 
with Capt. Peterson, owned 
the schooner Winnie Wing, 
one of the most successful ves- 
sels on the lake. In business 
the firm was successful and ranked high in business circles. 

He has held many of the village offices and was a member of the 
Common Council when he he died. He was also a prominent Odd 
Fellow, and for several years was Treasurer of Pentwater Lodge 
No. 378. 

MOSES D. GIRARD— 1858. 

Moses D. Girard was born at Detroit, Michigan, Aug. 28, 1856. 
He is a son of Dominique and Rose Girard. In 1858 he first came 
to Oceana County with his parents, remaining at Pentwater about 




TIIOS. COLLISTER. 



270 



OCEANA COUNTY PIONEERS 




two years, then going to Joli 
et, Ills. He remained there 
until 1868, when he returned 
to Peniwater, since which 
time he has worked in shingle 
mills and with his father un- 
til about three years ago, 
when he engaged as clerk in 
the store of C. Mears at Pent- 
water, where he has since re- 
mained. In the spring of 
1889 he was elected without 
opposition to the office of 
Village Recorder. He is 
known as an enterprising 
young man who by energetic 
endeavor has made his own 
way in the world thus far. 



EDWIN L. BENTON— 18.58. 

Edwin Ij. Benton was the only son of Orrin and ^Mary Benton, 
pioneer settlers of the town- 
ship of Ferry in this county. 
He was born Aug. 20, 1847. 
He came with his parents to 
^Michigan and settled at White 
River in 1855, and with them 
removed to Ferry in 1858. 
Sept. 12, 1886, he was mar- 
ried to Miss Nellie G. Devine, 
by whom he has one son. He 
is a successful farmer and bu- 
siness man. He has often 
been honored by his township 
with local offices, and was its 
Supervisor in 1889. In the 
spring of lb70 he was elected 
and is now serving as Justice 
of the Peace. 

E. L. BENTON. 




AND BUSINESS MEN OF TO-DAY. 



271 



JANE E. ROUSE — 1858. 

Jane E. Rouse, the daughter of John and Sabia Moore, was born 
at Brancliport, Yates Co., X. Y., June 5, 1829, and April 2, 1848, 
was married to Daniel Rouse. Her early life was uneventful and in 
many respects similar to that of many others. From the time of 
her marriage until the break- 
ing out of the rebellion her 
life was happy and the family 
Ijrosperous. With her hus- 
band she came to Oceana Co. 
in 1858. She endured the 
trials and privations of early 
days with a stout heart, and 
when the war broke out and 
her husband enlisted under 
Capt. Chas. Deane and went 
away she assumed the charge 
of their farm of 160 acres and 
the care of her eleven child- 
ren. When the war was over 
her husband came back, but 
he had lost all inclination for 
farming and home life. He 
finally received a pension and 
then left his wife and compan- 
ion of his early struggles 
alone with the family and a 
mortgage on tht farm. She 

was obliged to give up the farm, and since 1883 has suj^ported her- 
self by nursing. Mrs. Rouse has considerable poetic talent and at 
the old settlers' reunions her poems are listened to with interest. 
She is the mother of eleven children, seven sons and four daughters. 
Her pi'esent home is at Montague. 




W'" 



JANE E. ROUSE. 



WILLIAM WEBB — 1859. 

William Webb, son of Henry and Rose Webb, was born at Que- 
bec, Can., on Aug. 2, 1831. He came to Oceana Co. in 1859, ar- 
riving at Pentwater on IMay 1st of that year. He came from Port 
Huron in a covered wagon in company with his father, mother, 
brother Frank, Asa Pringle and wife and William Pringle. Soon 
after reaching Pentwater he purchased lot 4 of block 6 in the village 
and built him a house and cooper shop. He made barrels for the 
fishermen and others for some time. In 1861 he was appointed a 
Deputy Sheriff of the county under J. J. Tapley, Sheriff. One of his 



272 



OCEAXA COUNTY PIONEERS 



first official acts of importance was the arrest of Orson A. Fuller, 
of Hart, for the killinj^ of Andrew Rector (see page 4i5). Mr. Webb 
describes Fuller as one of the most hardened criminals he ever had 
under arrest during his official career. Another case was the ar- 
rest of a Southerner who robbed old Mr. Cheney of $550. He was 
living on what is known as the Cheney farm in the township of Hart 
where the robbery was committed. Mr. Webb was called in the 
night and before morning was at Cheney's home, found the robber's 
track at daylight and captured him at Carleton's mill on White 
River before night, getting all the money. The man was subse- 
quently sent to Jackson by Judge Littlejohn. He was a cool fellow 
for when the Judge pronounced his sentence he arose and 
thanked him, saying the sentence would not expire before the war 
was over, hence he would not be compelled to be a target for either 

party. In 1862 Mr. Webb 
was elected Sheriff of Oceana 
County, and again in 1864. 
After beinu out one term he 
was agaui elected in 1868 
and renominated in 1870 but 
was defeated at the polls by 
eight votes caused by a bogus 
ticket. In 1862 he was ap- 
pointed a Deputy Provost 
Marshal for the Western Dis- 
trict of Michigan, under Capt. 
Norman Bailey as Provost 
Marshal. He served in this 
capacity during the war and 
was in Milwaukee on his way 
to Beloit after a deserter when 
the news of Lee's surrender 
was received there. The joy 
manifested by the citizens of 
that city can only be appreciated by those who saw it. The wild- 
est e.xcitement prevailed. That night everything that would burn 
was used m making bonfires regardless of property rights of own- 
ers. Men took each other'.s hats and coats to feed the fires, and 
probably such a scene of excitement was never before witnessed. 
Mr. Webb found his man and delivered him at headquarters. He 
was immediately sent to Sylvania, Ohio, after another deserter who 
was also safely delivered at headquarters. These two arrests clos- 
ed his services as Deputy Provost Marshal. Soon after the office 
was discontinued and upon parting with Capt. Bailey and the oth- 
er members of the force, the Captain complimented liim by saying 




WM. WEBB. 



AND BUSINESS MEN* OF TO-DAY. 



273 



to him: "Webb, you are one of my Dei^uties wlio never permitted a 
prisoner to escape." In 18H8 he was apx)ointed Deputy U. S. Mar- 
shal for the Western District of Michigan, under James Henry, U. 
S. Marshal, and served under him until INIar. 4, 1875. On the 3rd 
of the following April he was again appointed under John Pai'ker, 
the new Marshal, and served under him until his death in 1880, 
thus serving in that capacity for twelve years. Mr. Webb was also 
census enumerator in 1870 for the counties of Mason and Oceana. 
During the years of 1860-1-2 he held the office of Treasurer of Pent- 
water township. In 1865 he started a store at Pentwater and 
continued that business for six years. In 1880 he commenced lum- 
bering at Bass Lake where he continued for three years. In ly85 
he entered the employ of Butters & Peters Salt & Lumber Co. at 
Ludington as foreman, and is still engaged with them. In 1851 
Mr. Webb was married to Miss Esther Bemis, by which union two 
sons and four daughters were born to him. In 1885 he had the 
misfortune to lose his wife, an estimable lady. In 1888 he was 
again married. Looking back over the years he has passed in Oce- 
ana County, comparing the condition of the county when he first 
came, a dense primeval forest with only a trail through it for a 
wagon road, with what it is today, one of the most prosperous 
counties, of its age, in the State, he feels j)roud of the fact that he 
Avas one of its pioneers. As an officer Mr. Webb may also be proud 
of the fact that he never permitted a bondsman to suffer because 
of his neglect of duty, or a prisoner to escape by reason of his care- 
lessness. 

CHARLES DUMAW— 1859. 

Chas. Dumaw, a son of Ju- 
lius Dumaw, was born Nov. 
30, 1830, at Plattsburg, N. 
Y. He was raised upon a 
farm and has always made 
farming his business. In May 
1859, he came to Oceana Co., 
locating on Sec. 8, Weare 
township, where he now has 
a farm of 320 acres, with 80 
acres improved. He has a 
small house, a barn 40x50 
feet and horse barn 22x32 
feet. He has an orchard of 4 
acres, principally apiple. Mr. 
Dumaw has always been a 
hard-working, industrious 
man; and has held the offices 




274 



OCEANA COUNTY PIONEERS 



of Highway Commissioner and Justice of the Peace, and is now a 
member of the School Board of his District. In 1854 Mr. Dumaw 
married Miss Julia A. Labough, and they have had nine children, 
seven sons and two daughters, in order as follows: Alice, now Mrs. 
Chas. Maynard, residing at Pentwater; William, Charles, Claude, 
Broomfield, Everett, Emmet, Bert and Lilian. 

ASA M. PRINGLE — 1859. 

Asa M. Piingle was born in Fredericksburg, C. W., June 19,1833. 
Was married to Caroline Webb, Dec. 8, 1858, who bore to him eight 
children, five sons and three daughters. Mr. Pringle moved to Oce- 
ana Co. May 1, 1859, and has been engaged in farming, lumbering 
and fruit raising. He now owns a fine farm in the township of 
Golden, where he still resides. His companion passed into the be- 
yond a few years since. He has ever been an active factor in his 
locality. Has been Deputy Sheriff, Commissioner of Highways, 
Justice of the Peace, Township Treasurer and School Inspector. 
Concerning the county he thus speaks for himself: "I will say to the 
old pioneers of Oceana that if they are well situated here they had 
better be contented where they are. I have traveled about 8,000 
miles through the Western countries. I have seen beautitul places 
but you consider everything, and it is hard to beat old Michigan 
very much. I have noticed that aVjout nine out of ten who leave 
Oceana County come back as soon as they can get back, and it is 
not a vei-y bad sign for this county. There are a great many chan- 
ces yet to make money, and a good many ways to lose it. I like 
some of the Western countries very much, but a good many por- 
tions ot it I do not like." 

JOHH LEAK— 1859. 

John Leak, a son of William 
and Mary Leak, was born in 
Claybanks, Oceana Co., Mich., 
June 9, 1859. He was born up- 
on a farm and has made farm- 
ing his business except during 
the past six years, during which 
time he has been engaged in car- 
penter work and framing. He is 
looked upon as a good workman 
and has succeeded in obtaining 
considerable work in that line. 
A native of the township where 
he resides, he has done his fair 
proportion, for his age, in mak- 
ing the township what it is, and 
the good people, recognizing this 
fact, have honored him with the 
office of Treasurer of the town- 




AXD BUSINESS MEN OF TO-DAV, 



275 



ship at the spring election of 1889. Through a mistake of the print- 
er his name was omitted from the Hst of Treasurers on page 147 of 
this book. Mr. Leak married Miss Annie Brower on Nov. 13, 1883 
and four children, one son and three daughters, havebeen born to 
them. Long may he live to assist in and witness the growth and 
prosperity of the county that claims him as a worthy son. 



HEUVEY S. SAYLES— 1860. 

Hervey S. Sayles, the subject of this sketch, was born at Stillwa- 
ter, Saratoga Co., N. Y., June 27, 1827. He is a son of John and 
Catherine Sayles. He came to this State in 1848, and spent twelve 
years at Round Prairie, Kalamazoo Co., and on June 12, 1860, 
came to Oceana Co., locating 
in Crystal township. In 1861 
he moved upon his present 
location in Elbridge township 
he being the first white settler 
in the township. He began 
trade with the Indians which 
he continued for some time. 
In 1874 he commenced farm- 
ing which business he has fol- 
lowed to the j)resent time. 
INIr. Sayles has always been 
much respected by all who 
knew him. and has been in- 
trusted with the duties of va- 
rious offices which he has con- 
scientiously discharged. He 
was elected Treasurer of El- 
bridge in 1863 and four times 
thereafter. He was elected 
Supervisor in 1864 and for 
four consecutive years there- 
after. In 1870 he was elected to the office of Sheriff of the county, 
and again in 1872, serving four years. On April 8, 1852 he was 
married to Miss Phebe H. Kinney, in Kalaiiazoo Co. She came 
with him to this county and has endured many hardships but thro' 
them all has assisted her husband with cheerfulness. They have 
three childien, two sons and one daughter. 




H. S. SAYLE> 



WILLIAM X. SAYLES 



-1860. 



William N. Sayles, known from one end of Oceana Co. to the oth- 
er as Nila S.ivles, was born at Prairie Ronde, Kalamazoo County, 



276 



OCEANA COUNTY PIONEERS 



Mich., Jan. 21, 1857, 




He is a pioneer and a son of pioneers, his 
parents being Hervey S. and 
Phebe H. Sayles, now resi- 
dents of Elbridge. Nila came 
to this county in June, 1860, 
and has resided here since. 
His earlier years were spent 
in the backwoods of Elbridge 
where he was a pupil at the 
Indian Mission school; after- 
wards he attended school at 
Hart village. He has been 
engaged in various occupa- 
tions from work at scaling 
and book-keeping to manager 
of lumber camps and stores. 
He has held the office of Treas- 
urer of Elbridge and in 1886 
was elected County Clerk, 
w. N. SAYLES. which office he filled with cred- 

it. Just previous to the expirat'on of his term of office as Clerk he 
became interested in the Oceana Co. Savings Bank at Hart, and 
when his term expired accepted the position of Asst. Cashier of that 
institution which he still fills. On Oct. 16, 1889, he married Miss 
Mary V. Booklass, of Coldwater. 

ANDREW JACKSON— 1860. 

Andrew Jackson, whose 
portrait is given herewith, 
was born Jan. 12, 1840, at 
North Shenango, Crawford 
Co., Pa. His parents were 
Alexander and Betsey Jack- 
son. He is one ot the pio- 
neers of Oceana County, being 
familiar with the hardships 
and struggles of an early day 
having been a resident among 
us since Jan. 1, 1860. He 
has always followed farming 
as a business; and as a pio- 
neer farmer has done his fair 
proportion of work in remov- 
ing the heavy timber of this 
county and preparing the soil 




A. JACKSON. 



AND BUSINESS MEN OF TO-DAY, 



2T 



for agricultural uses. To such as he. the pioneer farmers, the coun- 
ty owes more of a debt of gratitude than to those men who have 
always resided at the villages making a living by furnishing supx)lies 
to workmen. The business men are a necessary factor in all coun- 
tries, but it is the man who takes his ax uito the woods that really 
makes the wilderness to blossom. On Jan. 12, 1861, he was mar- 
ried to Mary Jane Gray, and four children have blessed theii' union 
two sons and two daughters. 



GEORGE C MYERS— 1861. 

George C. Alyers was born at Grand Haven, Ottawa Co.. Mich., 
Jan. 21, 1848. His parents, Cornelius and Catherine Myers, now 
reside near him in Claybanks. He came to Oceana in the fall of '61 
and since then has been engaged 
in farming and school teaching. 
On Oct. 7, 1874, he married Miss 
Lena S. Hanson, a sister of J. 
D. S. Hanson, now Prosecuting 
Attorney of the county. They 
have a family of four children, 
three sons and one Haughter. 
Mr. Myers has held many posi- 
tions of trust among them, Su- 
pervisor five years, Justice eight 
years. Superintendent of Schools 
four years, and has been a mem- 
\)er of the County Board of 
School Examiners eight; years, 
now holding that position. 
When such positions are repeat- 
edly given a man it goes without 
saying that the duties have been G. c. my'ers. 

faithfully iierformed. He now 

has a nice farm with good improvements, situated in the northeast 
corner of the township of Claybanks. His friends are as numerous 
as his acquaintances. 

AHAZ A. DARLING— 1862. 

Ahaz Allen Darling, one of the pioneer preachers of Oceana coun- 
ty, was born in Wastenaw Co., Mich., Feb. 6, 1834. His parents 
were Simeon and Nesiah Darling. He came to this lake shore in the 
fall of 1861 as a Methodist Missionary to Manistee. Then on Oct. 
21, 1862, he came to this county, making his home at Pentwater, 
and preaching at Lincoln and Claybanks in Mason Co., at Pentwa- 




278 



OCEANA COUNTY PIONEERS 



ter, two places in Weare, two in Hart, one in Ferry, four in Shelby, 
two in Benona, and two in Claybanks in Oceana Co. At that time 
there was no church building in the county. Mr. Darling preached 
at Ludington the first sermon by a Protestant minister. It was 
preached to a few fishermen and mill men. For the services that 
Mr. Darling rendered to the Pentwater mission he received the mag- 
nificent salary of $300 per annum. Leaving his wife at home alone 
he would start out upon his trips, fording rivers, lying in the woods 
over night when lost, and enduring hardships innumerable. He 
would ride a horse where possible and when not would luake his 
way on foot, following Indian trails and the Government blaze on 
trees. There were no grist mills and when visitingasettler he would 

take his turn at grinding 
wheat or corn in a hand mill. 
The people were universally 
kind and did what they could 
toward the support of the 
Gospel. Mr. Charles Mears, 
H. C. Flagg and wife and Mr. 
S.Moulton Mr. Darling espec- 
ially -remembers for their 
kindness to him. Many who 
were not noted for piety 
would put themselves out to 
do the missionary a favor. 
In those dciys the ministers at 
Conference shrank from such 
appointments as great calam- 
ities. Mr. Darling came to 
love the jjeopleand the woods 
and although twice sent to 
better charges, would at the 
end of a year ask to be re- 
turned to the sandy shore of 
Lake Michigan and wilds of Oceana Co., now a land of fruits and 
plenty. We would be glad to fill many pages with accounts of his 
experiences, but space will not permit. Mr. Darling married March 
2.5, 1860, Miss Catherine M. Wilco.x, and six sons and two daugh- 
ters have been born to them in Northern Michigan. INIr. Darling 
has held the position of Supervisor of Hart township and Superin- 
tendent of Schools for the county. For the past ten years he has 
spent part of his time at work at the carpenter trade. A man 
known throughout the county and loved and respected wherever 
known, is what can truthfully be said concerning him now. He says 




J00^^' 



A. A. DARLING. 



AND BUSINESS MKX OF TO-DAY, 



279 



"Wife and I are contented here," and what can a man have any- 
where better than "sweet content?" 




JOHN BAMFOKD— 18(32. 

John Bamford was born at Nottingham, Kng., Sept. 30, 1827. 

His parents were James and 
Hannah Bamford. He left 
England April 18, 1854, from 
Liverpool, and arrived at 
Chicago June 1, 1851. He at 
once opened a game and fruit 
store and continued in that 
business until 1862. On June 
9th of tiiat year he landed at 
Pentwater and went to work 
for Mr. C. Mears, with whom 
he continued until 1869 when 
he purchased forty acres of 
land on section 18, Weare 
township, and building a 
shanty among the timber 
moved upon it. His business 
previous to coming to Amer- 
ica had been that of a design- 
er and di-aughtsman of lace 
patterns, hence he went upon 
his farm in the woods with no 
knowledge of farming. After 
many years of hard labor he 
now has a farm with thirty 
acres improved and twenty 
acres free of stumi^s. He ha.s 
made quite a business of mar- 
ket gardening, raising quanti- 
ties of strawberries. He has 
a comfortable frame house 
14x26 with wing 12x28, and 
considerable i^ersonal proper- 
ty. He has been School Di- 
rector for three terms. June 
11, 1848, he was married by 

Dr. Brookes, Vicar of St. Mary's Church, Nottingham, Eng.,to Miss 
Emma Daiker, a daughter of John and ]Mary Darker, who was born 
at Nottingham, England, Feb. 14, 1828. Mrs. Bamford came with 




MRS. J. BAMFORD. 



280 



OCEANA COUNTY PIONEERS 



her husband to Oceana Co. and has been an efficient helpmeet to 
him during the years thej' have been here. They pride themselves 
today upon the fact tliat they do not owe one penny, beUeving with 
the poet that "an honest man's the noblest work of God."' 



STEPHEN SPELL:\rAN — 1862. 

Stephen Spellman, a son of John and Dorcas Spellman, was born 
at Wadsworth, Medina Co., O., 
in 1851. In 1862 he came to 
this county and lived on section 
29, of Hart township. He fol- 
lowed farming until 1860 when 
he began horseshoeing which he 
still continues. In 18S9 he be- 
came interested in a drug store 
at Shelby, where he now resides. 
Married Miss Matilda White, of 
Golden, and has three children, 
two sons and one daughter. Mr. 
Spellman has always been a 
hard-working man, and by hard 
labor has accumulated what he 
possesses. He has made many 
friends in Shelbj' since residing there. s. spellman. 




A. p. PETERSON — 1862. 

Andle P. Peterson was born Feb. 24, 1860, at Chicago, 111. He is 
a son of Nels and Fredrike Peterson. He is one of the pioneers of 
Oceana County, having come here in 1862. He was raised upon a 
farm and is now engaged in farming in Claybanks township. June 
12, 1887, he married Miss Anna B. Johnson, and they have no 
children. Mr. Peterson is an industi'ious young man and is fast 
making for himself and family a comfortable home. 



ABRAHAM H. BEARSS— 1863. 

Abraham H. Bearss was born hi the Province of Ontario, Can., 
July 17, 1841, his parents being Joseph and Susa Bearss. He came 
to this county in 1863 and began work in the lumber woods, 
which he continued for two years. In 1864 be purchased eighty 
acres of land on section 15, township of Shelby, which he cleared 
up and ^^here he has since resided. The first seed sown on the place 
was procured by going fifty miles with an ox team. There is some 



AND BUSINESS MEN OF TO-UAY, 



281 



difference between his first and last taxes. His first tax was $3.81; 

his last $155.40, and the 
improvements made by him 
can be estimated in the 
same ratio. He certainly 
has a fine place. In May, 
1865, he returned to Cana- 
da, and was married at 
Dunville, Ont., to Phebe 
Ott, and among the pleas- 
ant reminiscences of those 
times was the housewarm- 
ing the neighbors gave him 
and his bride upon the 
Christmas eve. after com- 
ing home. They have had 
five children, one son and 
four daughters. Mr. Bearss 
has held the offices of High- 
way Commissioner, Town- 
ship Treasurer, Supervisor, 
and is now Co. Superinten- 
dent of the Poor. 




A. H. BEAKSS. 



CHARLES P. R.A.THBONE— 1863. 



Charles P. Rathbone was 
born at Coneatville, Craw- 
ford Co., Pa., April 15, 1851. 
He is a son of Jerome R. and 
Elvira Rathbone. He came 
to Oceana County with his 
mother and family in May, 
1863, settling in Ferry. Soon 
after coming here his two 
brothers, James H. and Le- 
Grande, enlisted in the army, 
Jas. H. in Co. E 3i'd Mich. 
Cav., and LeGrand in Co. D 
10th Mich. Cav. James H. 
Rathbone died INIar. 17, '87, 
of an illness contracted while 
in the army. It was a hard 
struggle for the family to 
keep the wolf from the door, but the boys remaining at home work- 




C. p. RATHBONE. 



282 



OCEANA COUNTY PIONEERS 



ed manfully and discharged theiv duty faithfully, supporting their 
widowed mother and four younger brothers and sisters. At that 
time they were compelled to back most of the necessaries of life 
from Whitehall. The subject of our sketch has lived through the 
•'suffering times" of the county and now surrounded with the com- 
forts of life remembers his early struggles and hardships as a "story 
ry that is told." He is an honored member of the Shelby Lodge 
No. 344 I. 0. 0. F., being one of its Past Grands. He has been for- 
tunate in his marital relations, having married Jan. 4, 1874, Mary 
A. Dooley, of Kalamazoo, who has proved a loving, faithful wife. 
They have two children, daughters: Carrie, born Sept. 15, 1876, 
and Nellie, born Sept. 1, 1878. Both were born in Shelby. Mr. 
Rathbone was the first Marshal of Shelby village, and has been 8 
years Constable of Shelby township. 



BENJAMIN S. GARVER— 1863. 

Benjamui S. Garver was born on the 7th day of July, 1851, at 
Spencer, Medina Co., Ohio. 
He is a son of David L. and 
Nancy Garver, now residing 
near Hart. He came to 
Oceana Co. in July, 1863, 
and has since resided here, 
being engaged in school 
teaching, farming and fruit 
raising. On Dec. 25, 1874, 
he married Miss Pittinger, 
and they now have four 
children, three daughters 
and one son. In the spring 
of 1888 Mr. Garver became 
interested in the Oceana 
Canning and Evaporating 
Co. at Pentwater; and has 
been the manager of the bu- 
siness since, besides being 
one of the heaviest stock- 
holders. His hobbies are 
the development of the 

fruit niterests of the county and the improvement of our public 
roads. He takes a great interest in fruit raising and is considered 
an authority upon that subject. He has probably done more than 
any other man ot his age and means in the county to build up our 
fruit interest and to urge the desirability of better country roads. 




B. S. GARVER. 



AXl) BCSIXESS MEN OF TO-DAY 



283 



HIRAM RARROX— 18G3. 

Hiram Barron was born in Stark County, Oliio, in tlie year 1831. 
He is a son of Geoige and Cliar- 
lotte (Carnes) Barron. In 1852 
he was married to Miss Mary J. 
Porter, and three children have 
been born to them, one son and 
two daughters. On April 25, 
1863, he arrived in Oceana Co., 
commen(!ing at once to make 
him a home, at the same time 
making shingle bolts for a living. 
He was a hard worker, doing 
long days' work, much of his 
clearing being done by the light 
of log tires. Besides farming he 
does more or less lumbering. 
He has never sought public of- 
fice. He is a man with numei'- 
ous friends and acquaintances. 
His farm, which is located on 
Sec. 3 of Hart township and Sec. 
34 of Weare, consists of 200 

acres of which J 20 are located in Hart and 80 in Weare. The 80 
acres referred to he took up from Government and is the homestead. 
He has 140 acres improved, and the farm constitutes one of the 
finest stock farms in the county. "Hi," as Mr Barron is familiarly 
called, is a veritable i)ioneer. He bears his age well, and is still as 
fond of and can enjoy a pratical joke as well as thirty years ago. 




H. BARRON. 



WALTER H. CHURCHII.I.— 1804. 

Walter H. Churchill was born at Batavia, CJenesee County, N. Y., 
April 27, 1838. His parents were Samuel and Eliza Churchill. His 
early life was spent upon his father's farm and the log school house 
was a feature of that life. He continued to i-eside upon the farm 
until arriving at the age of manhood, when he determined to start 
out in life for himself. Believing that the West offered advantages 
not possessed by the East, he decided that in the West he would 
seek his future home. He arrived in Oceana County on Feb. 14, 
1864, locating at once in the township of Shelby. At that time the 
county was a wilderness and he became one of its earliest pioneers. 
After coming here he enlisted in Co. G 15th ISIich. Inf., and took up 
his line of march for the front. At the close of the war he returned 
to his home in this county and has since resided in Shelby and vi- 



284 



OCEAXA COUNTY PIONEEUS 



cinity. When the Shelby Postoffice was estabUshed in 1866 Mr. 
Churchill was appointed Postmaster, which position he continued 
to hold for nineteen years and nine months. He has held positions 
of trust in his township since its organization, among them being 
Township Clerk seven years, Treasurer one year, Justice twenty 
years. Supervisor two years, and in 1888 was elected Judge of Pro- 
bate of the county, which position he now holds. He has also been 
Secretary and Treasurer of the Oceana Co. Veteran Association. 
In business matters Mr. Churchill has exercised great shrewdness 
and tact and from the small start made in 1864 he has become the 
possessor of considerable means. By an honorable, upright course 
he has won the respect and esteem not only of those associated 

with him, but also of those 
with whom he has had busi- 
ness transactions. His busi- 
ness relations have been va- 
ried. He was engaged in the 
hardware business in 1872 
with Mr. A. Neff. He after- 
wards was engaged in the 
boot and shoe business. In 
1883 the banking house of 
Churchill, Oakes and Co. was 
formed in which he became 
President and still holds the 
position. In 1886 the Beno- 
na Lumber Co. was formed 
with Mr. Churchill as its Sec- 
retary, and in 1888 he also 
became the Secretary of the 
Shelby Improvement Co. To 
dwell upon his social and 
l^ersonal qualities is useless 
in this connection as he is well known in all parts of the county. 
His residence and grounds are among the finest in the village, a 
view of which appears elsewhere in this book. Mr. Churchill has 
been three times marrieil. In 1859 he married Miss Jane Green. 
In 1869 he was married to Lucada A. Carter, and in 1874 to Sa- 
rah A. Hamlin. He has had five children, three sons and two 
daughters, only one of whom is now living, Charles L. His present 
wife is a lady of refinement and exerts herself to make home pleas- 
ant and its occupants happj'. Thej^ have an adopted daughter, 
Mamie, who is the pet of the household. 




Lu/T/r 



W. H. CHURCHILL. 



AND BUSINESS MEN OF TO-DAY, 



285 



CALVIN A. WOODWORTH— 18G4. 

Calvin A. Woodworth was 
born on the first day of July, 
1848, in Ashtabula Co., O. 
He is a son of Calvin and Su- 
san A. Woodworth, who were 
the second family to settle in 
the township) of Colfax where 
they still reside. They set- 
tled in Colfax on Oct. 22, '64. 
The subject of our sketch thus 
early in life was made ac- 
quainted with the toils and 
privations of i^ioneer life. 
Amid the native forests his 
character was formed and 
Mother Nature was his teach- 
er. He is now a man respect- 
ed and trusted by his towns- 
men. Has been Treasurer 
and is now Supervisor of the 
township. On Dec. 22, 1875, 
he married Miss Jennie Robertson, and three children have blessed 
their union, two sons and one daughter. Since 1876 he has follow- 
ed farming for a livelihood. 




C. A. WOODWORTH. 



-T. W. RUNXER- 




U^fi''' 



-1864. 

James Wallace Runner was 
born at Jerusalem, Yates Co. 
N. Y., May 5, 1852. His par- 
ents were James S. and Nan- 
cy A. Runner. He came to 
Oceana Co. with his parents 
in 1864, the coming of this 
family, which included seven 
children, occasioning the for- 
mation of a new school dis- 
trict (No. 2 of Shelby) which 
at this time has a school pop- 
ulation of 489. The farm up- 
on which the family settled 
is still known as the J. S. 
Runner farm, and is at pres- 
ent occupied by Mr. J. M. 
Runner, a brother of James 
W. The subject of our sketch 



286 



OCEAXA COUNTV PIONEERS 



followed fcarniing and teaching until 1877, when he enp;aged in his 
present business, drugs and stationery, at Shelby village. By strict 
attention to business he has succeeded in establishing a good trade 
and has secured to himself a wide circle of intimate friends. He has 
held the position of Assessor of the school district, a position re- 
quiring good judgment and one usually conferred because of a repu- 
tation for lionesty and integrity. On Nov. 6, 1875, Mr. Runner 
Avas married to Amelia E. Loomis,and two sons have been born to 
them. 

JOHN M. RUNNER— 1864. 

John M. Runner was born at Cameron, Steuben Co., N. Y.«, July 
13, 1856. He is another of the sons of James S. and Nancy A. 
Runner. He came with his parents and family to this county in 
1864. He has always followed the business of farming and is now 
living upon and working the J. S. Runner farm. He is one of a fam- 
ily that has cilwaj'S boi'ne a good name for honesty and industry 
wherever known, and is not behind the other members in this re- 
spect. On April 8, 1880, he was married to Miss Millie Carpp, of 
Van Buren Co. Two children, both boys, have blessed their union, 
coining to make glad the hearts of their parents who take great 
pride in them. 

MVRON A. GILBERT— 1864. 

Myron A. Gilbert was born 
Dec. 28, 1845, at Canaan, 
Wayne Co., Ohio. He is a 
son of J. W. and Rachel De- 
Moss Gilbert. In 1855, with 
his parents, he moved to Me- 
dina Co., Ohio, and in 1864 
came to Oceana Co., arriving 
in Pentwater on April 18th. 
They lived one year on what 
is known as the Fuller farm 
in the township of Hart. In 
the spring of 1865 they mov- 
ed into Benona (now Shelby) 
|on the Geo. Piper farm. That 
summer Mr. J. W. Gilbert 
built one of the best log houses 
ever built in the county, and 
also a small blacksmith shop. 
M. A. GrLBERT. In the early winter of 1866 

he went back to Ohio to see "the girl I left behind me,"' and on Jan. 




AND BUSINESS MEN OF TO-DAY. 287 

1, 1867, was married to Miss M. J. INrcConaughy. In Feb. of the 
same year he brought his bride to this founty and has since ret^id- 
ed here. In Feb., 1868, they moved upon the northeast quarter of 
section 31, Shelby, where they now live. His patent for this land 
was signed by President U. S. Grant. ]Mr. Gilbert is the father of 
four daughters and one son. Three daughters and the son are now 
living u])on the old farm, which consists of ninety acres of land, sev- 
enty acres of which is well adapted for fruit rai.-^ing. He has already 
twelve acres of peaches, petirs, plums and other fruit, yiv. Gilbert 
is an enthusiastic member of Shelby Lodge Xo. 344: I. O. O. F.. and 
is highly respected by all. He spends much of his time at Siielby 
village being engaged in well digging and putting in and repairing 
Ijumps. 

HENRY ABSON— 1864. 

Henry Abson was born in Yorkshire, England, Aug. 26, 1^44. 
Hi.s parents were Anthony and ]\Iai\v Abson. He came to Oceana 
County in 1864 and settled in the then backwoods of Lea\ itt town- 
ship. In the fall of 1864 he helped to cut the now well tra\eled 
road from Hazen Leavitt's to what is known as Sayles and Bean 
marsh. In Jan. 1865, he went to reside with Dr. J. J. Kittrub'e at 
Crystal, where he remained until Oct. of the same year, in the mean- 
time chopping the first ten aci-es upon Mr. Kittridge's farm ami as- 
sisting in building his house. After leaving Crystal in tlie fall of 
1865 he returned to Pennsylvania where he remained until 186U 
when he again came to this county and located in Lea\itt whei-e he 
still resides. He has held the offices of Township Clerk and Treas- 
urer and is a man generally respected by all who know him. ]Mar. 
18, 1865, he was married to Miss Ellen Ij. (iilbei't and tiiey have 
had born to them two sons and one daughter. 

.JESSE BEAKSS— 1865. 

Jesse Bearss was born at Welland, Ont., in 1837. His parents' 
names were Joseph and Susan Bearss. He came to Oceana County 
in 1^65. Bought his present home in Shelby township in 1867 and 
the following year commenced its improvement. In 186s he mar- 
ried Miss Libbie Morningstar,of Welland, Ont., and there wereborn 
to them three children, t^YO daughtei'S and one son. On Dec. 18, 
1876, his wife died. Dec. 29, 1870, he was again married. Miss 
Fannie Beam, of Welland, Ont., became his second wife and bore 
him two children, one son and onedaughter. Feb. 1 1 , 1883, he had 
the misfortune to again lose his wife. On ^larch 2, 1886, he mai-- 
ried his present wife, INIiss Anna Lord, of Erie. X. Y.,and one daugh- 
ter has been born to them. 'Mr. Bearss chopped the timber on the 



288 



OCEANA COUNTY PIONEERS 



land wiiere the SlielI)V 



^L•hool house now stands. He became a citi- 
zen ot the United States June 
18, 186-^. In 1870 he was 
elected Highway Commission- 
er and held the office eleven 
years. In iSTOelected School 
Inspet'tor, holding that office 
three years. Elected Justice 
in 1881, held tlie oflice three 
years. In 18-5 was elected 
Super\-isor of Shelby, which 
office he still holds. I'pon the 
Board of Sui)ei'visors he is an 
uiiinential inemher. He has 
been a hard workeraiid ]iian\" 
are the hunting and tishing 
expeditions that lie has tak- 
en. He is of jovial disposi- 
tion, iiK'lined to look upon 
the lu'iglit side of life at all 
j:hsse bearss. times. 




wiLi.iA^t a. rounds— 18(35 

William A. Kounds was 
born at Garrettsville. Portage 
Co.. Oliio, Nov. 1. 1>48. He 
is a son of William and Lou- 
isa Kounds. At the iireaking 
(;ur of tlie rebellion he enlist- 
ed in Vo.C KJth U. S. Jn f.and 
t^erved to the close of the wai 
On July G, 18f;>5 he landed m 
Pentwater and has made his 
home here since then wii h t he 
exception of a short time 
He tii's^t commenced woi'k at 
Pentwfitcr for Richmond lV 
Bean, and atteiwards foi 
Sands & iNlaxwell. He wah 
also engaged for sometime m 
i-unning a<li-ay line at Pent- 
water and for six years had 
charge of Slocum's coal dock 
for tlie Eiigelmann line. In 



ssf^:'^:^**. 




W. A. ROUND.S. 



AXD BUSINESS MEX OF TO-DAY. 



289 



the spring of 1.SS8 he purchased a hvery bu-iiiiess and has since fol- 
lowed that business. He ha.s the only li\ei'y and leed stable at 
Pentwater and also runs a stage line between Pentwater and Lud- 
ington during the winter season when the boats cannot run. He is 
a member of Oceana Lodge No. 200 P. & A. M., Oceana Chapter No. 
56 R. A. M., and of Pentwater Lodge No. 878 L 0. O. F. May 29, 
1867, he married ^Nliss Emma Graham, and they have since had 
three children, two sons and one daughter. One of the sons has 
since died. Mv. Rounds has held the positions of Deputy Sheriff of 
the county. Treasurer and Constable of tlie townshii), and Village 
Marslial. As a police officer he is not excelled, having always been 
considered one of the best in the township. 



CHARLES SERFLING— 1805. 

Charles Serfling, born in Germany; Dec. 31. I'^oO, i-: a son of Her- 
man and Emma Serfling. He 
came to America at the age 
of thirteen years, and to Oce- 
ana Co. in the year I860, in 
June. Mv. Serfling has been 
engaged in farming .-ini-e com- 
ing to tins county. At the an- 
nual election in 1879, he was 
elected Township Clerk of 
Greenwood and re-elected 
each year thereafter until >7 
when he was elected to the of- 
fice of Supervisor which office 
he still holds. On June 7, '75 
he married Mary B. Devj'er, 
and their family now consists 
of two sons. When an officer 
is re-elected term after term c. sicrflixg. 

for twelve years, wecan draw 

but one conclusion and that is that he has proven himself to l)e an 
efficient and faithful officer. 




JACOB WILI.IAM.SOX— 1865. 

Jacob Williamson, the pre'^ent Supervisor of Otto Township, was 
born Jan. 3, 1836, at Milna. Jeff. Co.,N. Y. His parents were John 
and ^Margaret Williamson. He enlisted in the army in Co.C 94th N. 
Y. Vols., and was in the battles of Cedar Mountain. Chancellorville, 
Mine Run, Cold HarV^or and before Petersburg. He is now a mem- 
ber of R. M. Johnson Post No. 138 of Ferry, lie was one of the 



290 



OCEANA COUNTY PIONEERS 



earlier settlers of Oceana Co., coming here in Oct., 1865. He has 
been honored in his township by nearly all the different offices, hav- 
ing been Supervisor fourteen years. Treasurer two yeai's. Clerk one 
year, Supt. of Schools two years and Highway Commissioner. In 
all of the offices he has discharged his duties faithfully and with 
ability. His occupation is that of a farmer. Aug. 4, 1857, he mar- 
ried Tryphena Becker, and one son has blessed their union. As a 
member of the Board of Supervisors he has an influence that is ac- 
knowledged by all. 

WILLIAM MCMILLAN— 1865. 

William INIcMillan, one of the early settler.s of the township of 
Golden, was born in County Antrim, Ireland, on the 3rd day of 
Feb., 1835. His parents' names were David and Susan McMillan. 

He came to America m 1863, 
and after spending some time in 
Lenawee Co., 3Iich., and in Indi- 
ana he came to Oceana Co. in 
Nov. 1865. He soon located in 
Golden township and commenc- 
ed the erection of a log house 
and the clearing up of his land 
This log house he continued to 
occupy for fifteen years and then 
had things in such shape that he 
could afford a better one, build- 
ing one of the most commodious 
fran^ie houses in the township. 
He has always remained upon 
the same farm improving and 
adding to it, and now has 160 
acres of land on section eight. 
On one three acre piece he has 
500 peach trees, and on anoth- 
er three acres he has plums, ap- 
ples, etc. Hs raises annually from 300 to -lOO bushels ot wheat 
and 200 to 300 bushels of oats. He is a man esteemed by all >,ho 
know him, and the confidence of his neighbors has been manifested 
by making him Director of School District No. 2 for the past fifteen 
years. In 1867 he was married to Miss Mary White, and si.v child- 
ren have been added to the family, two sons and four daughters. 

SIDNEY S. BRANCH— 1865. 

Sidney S. Branch was born in York, Medina Co., Ohio, Feb. 20, 




WM. MCMILLAN. 



AND BUSINESS MEN OF TO-DAV. 



291 



1842. His father, Levi H. Branch, was an old pioneer of the State 

having niovefi there at an early age, with his pai-ents, from Genesee 

County, N. Y. His mother was from Massachusetts. On May 26, 

IbOl, Mr. Branch enlisted in the 8th Ohio Vols., and served over 3 

years. He was in the battles of Winchester, Antietani (where he 

was wounded in the head), Chancellorville, Ciettysl)nrg, IMine Run 

and the Wilderness, where he 

was wounded in tlie heel. He 

was mustered out July 13, 1864. 

He remained in Ohio about a 

year, and in I860 settled on 

section 21, Golden townshi}), 

Oceana County, ^Nlich., where he 

has since lived. He married, Nov. 

22, 1873, Miss Anna M.Hudson 

of LaPorte Co., Ind., by whom 

he has two children: Edna E.born 

Oct. 27, 1876, and Eda M., boi'n 

April 23, 1879. Mii^s Hudson 

was born in Laporte County, 

End., Jan. 10, 1844. Her father 

was a farmer and carpenter, and 

in easy circumstances. Mr. 

Branch has a very fine farm, his 

s^iecialty being truit growing. s. s. branch. 

DANIEL W. CROSBY— 1864. 

Dan'l W.Crosby wa« born 
at Barrington, Yates Co.,N. 
Y., Oct. 1, 1833. He is a 
son of Selah and Frances 
Crosby. His early years 
were passed upon a farm un- 
til of age. He then taught 
School as his health would 
Ijermit until 1866. He came 
to this county in April, '64, 
and has ressided here and is 
identified with the pro^^peri- 
ty of I he county since tliat 
time. He came heie as a 
teacher to ihe Indians and 
taught in the Cob-moo-sa 
school liouse. Has held va- 
rious ollices, and is nowRep- 





- (.'" 



292 



OCEAKA COUNTY PIONEERS 



resentative in the State Legislature from this county. In 1880 was 
census enumerator, and I'epresented this county on the last State 
Eciualization Board. Mari'ied Oct. 6, 1863, Agnes Colestock, and 
has five children, three sons and two daughters. See page 221. 

FREDERIK NIELSEN— 1865. 

Frederik Nielsen was born at Aaarhuus, Denmark, Europe, Nov. 
16, 1844. His early training was of the strict character peculiar 
to European countries, but laid the foundation for business habits 
that has brought success to him in later years. He received agood 
education while at home and became prolicient in different lan- 
guages incluling the German and English. He came to Pentwater 
in 1865, which at that period contained many residents natives of 
Norway, Sweden and Denmark. These people selected Mr. Nielsen 
as their spokesman and adviser in all their intricate transactions 
arising under their new social and government relations. In 1871 
he visited his old home in Denmark and returninu became a mem- 
ber of the firm of C. Jensen tt Co. The business of this firm was 
successful. It l:)uik tlie first l)rick store in Pentwater. It com- 




FREDERIK NIELSEN. 

nianded a large trade and in 1877 was dissolved by mutual con- 
sent. The same year with \Vm. E. Ambler he engaged in banking 
business under the firm name of Nielsen & Co. (see page 76). He 
acted as cashier and general manager for this institution, which 
has attained an en\iable reputation and which he stili manages. 



AND BUSINESS MEN OF TO-DAY. 



293 



In 1872 he married Nina ^NI. Bacon, who lias proved to him a lov- 
ing and faithful helpmeet. Two daut;liters have been born to them 
who are now just entering womanhood. One, Cecil, is a gi-aduate 
of Pentwater Union Schools, and at present attendiuLj theRockford 
Ills., Seminary. The other, Viva is .still with her parents. 

In 1871 he joined Oceana Lodge No. 200 P. & A. M.,and has since 
advanced to membership in the following branches: Chapter and 
Council, Pentwater; Muskegon Commandery; Tlie DeWittCliiiton 
Consistory (32nd degree). Grand Rapids, and Saladin's Temple, 
Grand Rapids. 

Politically he is a democrat, although not an active partisan. 
He is not an office seeker, but has many times been honoied by of- 
fice. He has served on the school Board from l-TO to the pieseiit 
time, except one year. Has been Village President live yeais. ha v- 
ing been elected to that office each of the li\e years in succession 
and without opposition. 

Mr. Nielsen is patriotic, charitable and entei'prisinir. He is a loy- 
al citizen of his adopted countrj- and takes an active interest in irs 
affairs. His charity is unostentatious, but of a ( haractt'i- t hat is 
appreciated by its recipient. Every public enter[)rise in t iip \-illaij;e 
has found a ready backer in him, to which he has conti-ilint ed not 
only in money but his active inllufnce. He cnj )ys a lar^i' cinle of 
friends who respect him not only for his social (pialities, Imi bis 
sound and practical views. 

t'HAUT.ES M. L".\r)i:iaiiLi^— 18(5.1. 
Charles M. I'nderhill, son of A. .1. and Kliza!)eth Cnderliill, was 
born at Pentwater, on i>ec. 
25, 186."), where he has since 
resided. He received his edu- 
cation at tlie Per.twater Hi^h 
School, graduating in lf-84, 
being the first male to grad- 
uate from that institution, 
attended the Michigan Agri- 
cultural College at Lansing 
one year, and the Metropoli- 
tan College at Chicago, one 
winter. In 1887-8 he was 
elected and served as Record- 
er of the village of Pentwater 
and is now Supervisor of the 
township. He is a member 
of the Masonic fraternity and 
a leadinsi member of the I. O. 




294. 



OCEANA COUNTY PIONEEUS 



O.F. fraternity, being the present Noble Grand of Pentwater Lodge 
No. 378. He is an Oceana Count j- production that the county need 
not be ashamed of, being a young man of good business abihty and 
possessing many friends. 



JONATHAN H. CRITCHETT — 1866. 

Jonathan 11. Crit-chett was born in Ashland Co., Ohio, Dec. 3,. 
1843. His pni-ents were Benjamin and Sarah Ann Critchett. When 
three years of age remo\ed with his parents to Dekalb Co., Ind. He 
remained at h(>nie woiking on a farm until Aug., 1862, when he en- 
listed in Co. A 100th Ind. Vols. While in the armj^his parents died 
and the home was sold, the other members of the family being scat- 
teivd to seven ditferent States. He returned from the army to De- 
kall) Co. and took up his residence with a sister. Afterward he re- 
moved to Alien Co., where he made his home with relatives until his 
marriniie on Feb. 13, 1866, to jNIary Hurnie. Soon after his mar- 
riage he came to Oceana Co., homesteaded eighty acres of land, 
cleared some, planted spring crops and went to Indianaforhis wife, 
arriving lu-re auain July 7th. Remained on homestead two years, 
sold out and in company with others went to Missouri. Returned 

liere in Nov.,lfr'68, purchas- 
ed forty acres neai- his old 
home and moved on the 
place the same month, into 
a twelve bj- sixteen board 
shanty. His effects when he 
returned from Mo. were con- 
tained in two old trunks. 
Sold this place in spring of 
1883 for $2,500, and soon 
nftei- purchased tlie farm of 
E. O. Peck, in Ferry town- 
ship, wheie he now lives. 
His wife died March 21, '87, 
leaving seven sons, five of 
whom continued to reside 
with their father until he 
was married again. Dec. 25, 
1889, he was married to 
Miss Morr, of Hesperia. Mr. 
Critchett has been a member 
of the ]M. E. and U. B. Chuirhes, in which he was Class Leader and 
Sunday School Superintendent. Has held various small offices of 
trust in his township. Was fleeted Township Treasurer in 1888-9. 




J. H. craTCHETT. 



AND BUSINESS MKN OF TO-DAV 



291 



HARVEY J. CHAinVIfK— 186G. 

Harvey .Teinipr Chadwick, M. D., son of M. R. Diadwick. M. D.. a, 
son of R. I\[. Chad wick, re- 
ciuiting oflicer in the British 
army, was V)orn at ]\[t. Aetna 
Ind., Feb. 11, '1857; came to 
Hart in '66; began the study 
of medicineat ITyearsof age; 
attended Rush Medical Col- 
lege, Chicago, at 19; graduat- 
ed at the Michigan College of 
Medicine in Detroit at the age 
of 21 years. He was elected 
by his class Vice President of 
the jMichigan College of Medi- 
cine Ahimiii Association; was 
made a men) her of the iNIichi- 
gan State Medical Society; la- 
ter became a member of the 
Pere^Iarquette Medical Socie- 
ty. Passed the examination 
of the Michigan State Board 
of Pharmacy. Was elected 
by his townshij) Health Offi- 
cer and School Inspector, and has been President of the Villaee of 
Hart. He married Laura Estelle Teeple, Oct, 1. 1885. Their little 
daughter Eva, now three years of age, makes them happy. 

WILIJAM VAUCJHAX— 1866. 

William Vaughan was born 
in the State of New York, 
June ^', 1835. He is a son of 
Thomas W. and Elmina 
Vaughan. On Sept. 20, 1862, 
he married Elizabeth Wash- 
er and they have had a fami- 
ly of eight children, three sons 
and five daughters. Mr. 
Vaughan came to this county 
at a comparatively earlj-day 
Aug. 3, 1866, and has done 
his portion towards reducing 
the wilderness to civilization. 
His business previous to com- 
ing here was lumbering and 
river-drivi'ig, but since he has 




H. .7. CHADWICK. 




296 



OCEANA COUNTY PIONEEIiS 



confined Inmself to farming. The confidence of the people has been 
manifested by his election to the office of township Treasurer which 
he held for two terms. He is a man of firm convictions, a free 
thinker and considers free thought necessary to the preservation of 
a republican form of government. 



CHARLES R. WHITTINGTON — 18-59. 

The subject of this sketch was born in Hampshire, Isle of Wight, 
England, Jan. 12, 1835. His father was accidentally killed before 
our subject's birth. In 1845 his mother married again a man by 
the name of Dove, and tlie same year came to America, bringing 
Charles. He lived in Port Huron fourteen years and moved to 
Pentwater Sept. 6, 1859, and commenced work for Charles Mears 

at $20 per month. Out of 
his wages he had to board 
liimself and family. On Sept. 
27, 185G, he married INliss 
Jane Whittington,an estima- 
ble lady, who has shared with 
him the trials of pioneer life, 
and borne him three children 
one son and two daughters, 
all grown to man and woman- 
hood ajid happily situated. 

Mr. Whittington mo\'ed his 
family upon the land he now 
owns on Sec. (i. Hart town- 
ship, in the winter when the 
snow was several feet deep 
and for six weeks his wife nev- 
er saw <a white person. He 
helped clear the Asa Pringle 
farm, the first clearing made 
in the vicinity of INIears. He 
helped put the first load of dn-t on the old mil! dam at Hart, and 
was a member of the noted Peck's logging crew which was never 
beaten in a fallow. 

He is a good business man, is comfortably situated, has a pleas- 
ant home and is liighly esteemed. He helped to organize the first 
Fire Department in Pentwater which he belonged to tor ten years, 
and of which he was Foreman of Hose five years and Chief three 
years. Has been Township Treasurer two years. Village Treasurer 
three years, and member of the Common Council eight years. 




C. R. WHITTINGTON. 



AND BUSINESS MEN OF TO-DAY. 



297 



EDWARD B. PLAGG— 1860. 

Edward B. Flagt;, the son of Henry C. and Lucy H. Flagg, was 
born in Hartford, Conn., June 11, 1H42. His ancestors were of the 
old puritan stock, one of them (Brewster) having come to America 
in the 3Iay Flower. The son 
of one of the most prominent 
of the county's pioneers, he 
also has figured largely in the 
social and municipal develop- 
ment of the county. He came 
to the. county in 1860, and 
has since, with the exception 
of a few short intervals, re- 
sided here. June 21, 1802, 
in Chicago, he married Carrie -..:,-r£r-' 
Johnson. The union has 
been blessed with four child- 
ren, two daughters and two 
sons. He has tilled many of 
the local offices in the village; 
has served tive terms as ^'il- 
lage Recorder, and is at the 
present time a member of the 
Common Council. In 1888 
he joined Oceana Lodge No. 

200 F. ik A. .M.,and has since passed the different chairs and is now 
serving as Master of the Lodge. Mr. Flagg has an active niind, a 
reliable memory, is a good penman, accurate and quick in figures. 
He is at present assistant to Mr. Nielsen in Nielsen A: Co.'s bank. 

KDWIX XICKEIiSOX— 1805. 
Edwin Nickerson, son of Elihu and ^lary Nickerson, was born 
]March IT, 1835, in Canada West. Wlieu three yejirs of age moved 
with his parents to Cattaraugus County, New York, where they re- 
mained for al)out two years, then v.-ent to Lake Co., Ind.. remain- 
ing there until 1848, when they came to Allegan Co., Mich. At the 
breaking out of the war he enlioted in Co. E 3rd Mich. Inf. and serv- 
ed two years and ten months as Sergeant. At the close ot the war 
in June, 1865, he came to Pentwater where he has since resided. 
Mr. Nickerson's earlj- life was spent upon farms; after coming to 
Pentwater he became interested in the planing mill which he contin- 
ued forabout five years, then formed a copartnership with Thos. 
Collister in the lumber business, which he has since continued. In 
1876 the firm built a grist mill at Pentwater, which was burned in 
1884, and a new and larger mill was immediately built upon same 




E. B. FLACiG. 



298 



OCEANA COUNTY PIONKERS 




she and roller process ma- 
chinery put in. ]Mr. Nicker- 
son has ahvaj's been a*public 
spirited man, energetic in his 
business affairs. He has been 
Supervisor of his township 
one term, and President of 
the village three terms. Has 
also served upon the School 
Board eight years. He was 
married Dec. 24, 1873, to- 
j\Iiss i\Iaria A. Carmichael. 
They now have two children, 
Stella and Nettie. 



NICKERSOX. 

JOHX M. CAHILL — 1864. 

John M. Cahill was born in Limerick Co., Ireland, June 21, 1842,. 
to Daniel and INIary Caliill. He received a good common school ed- 
ucation and emigrated to America in the Hummer of lSn.3. He went 
direct to Washington, D. C.,and 
found employment in the Quar- 
ter Master's Dept., where he re- 
mained one year, then went to 
Chicago, staid a few montlis and 
moved to Pentwater, Oceana 
Co., arriving Dec. 31, 1864. In 
April, 1865, he enlisted in the 
Quarter Master's Dept. and was 
detailed for duty at Little Rock, 
Ark., where lie was discharged 
for disability in Aug. of the same 
year. Afterwards he worked in 
the hunber woods, saw mills and 
on the river driving logs. In '73 
he went to Chicago and was em- 
ployed upon the regular police 

force until 1 76, when he again j. m. cahill. 

returned to Pentwater, broken in health. He regained his health 
and has since resided here. Since his return he has kept saloon and 
for two years a barber shop. Aug. 27, 1868, he was married to 
Katie McAndrew, of Lower Canada, and after her decease, Feb. 27^ 
1881, he married Ellen McAndrew, of the same place. Seven child- 
ren, three sons and four daughters, have been born to hmi. He is 




AND BUSINESS MEN OF TO-DAY. 



299 



a democrat and quite a politician. Has held tlie positions of Har- 
bor blaster, Justice of the Peace, and is at pi-esent a member of the 
Common Council. 

HENRY .1. :marsi[— 1802. 
Henry J. INIarsh was born 

at Clarendon, Ruttana Co., 

Vt. and is a son of Henry 

and Sarah L. Marsh. He 

came to Oceana County in 

1862, and since that time has 

spent more or less of his time 

in the county, and since 1880 

has resided here permanent- 
ly. He is a man who has 

made many friends and pos- t^^ 

sesses much inHuence in his 

section. He resides and has 

a store at what is known as 

Marshville ni Benona town- 
ship, being also Postmaster 

of the office of that name. 

His wife is a lady of much re- 
finement of person and nian- 

nei'S. She was born in New h. .j. :^[ARSH. 

York C-ity, and is a daughter 
of Theophilus L. and Anna 
Smith Houghton. She hrst 
came to this county in May, 
1880. :Mr. and Mrs. Marsh 
have a tine home, their house 
being large and commodious, 
a landmark in that section. 
Mr. Marsli owns a large tract 
of land in Benona. 





MRS. H. J. :\IARSH. 



300 



OCEANA COUNTY PIONEERS 



T. S. GURNEY — 1866. 

See page 218. 

A. L. CARR— 1866. 

A. L. Carr was born in St. Lawrence Co., N. Y., Feb. 6, 1841; set- 
tled in Weare, section 36, in 1866. He is quite an extensive farmer 

paying considerable attention 
to fruit culture, having some 20 
acres of different varieties. Mar- 
ried, Feb. 8, 1865, Amelia L. 
Hazelton, who was born in St. 
Lawrence Co., N. Y., May 28, 
1843, and died Feb. 1, 1875, 
leaving three childi'cn. Bower M., 
Etta P., Edgar A. Second mar- 
riage, March 1, 1876, to Naomi 
A. Ervin, who was born in Cam- 
den, Ont., Jan. 31, 1846. Mr. 
Carr is a Director and Vice Pres- 
ident of the Oceana Co. Savings 
Bank. He is a prominent Ma- 
son, having been Master of Wig- 
ton Lodge No. 251, three years. 




A. li. CARR. 

WM. COOPER— 1 866. 
William Cooper, son of Jas. K. 
and Eleanor Cooper, was born 
at Vienna, Ont., July 8, 1851. 
In Nov., 1866, he came to Oce- 
ana Co. and settled in Elbridge. 
He has always been an active, 
public spirited man and has been 
honored with various offices, 
now being Sheriff of the county, 
and has served as Under Sheriff. 
He owns one of the best forties 
in Elbridge and also ten acres 
Avithin the limits of Hart village 
where he now makes his home. 
He is improving his land as fast 
as x>ossible, and is setting out 
fruit trees of different varieties 
upon both x^laces. His business wm. cooper. 

now in connection with his duties as Sheriff' is that of a contract- 




AND BUSINESS MEN OF TO-DAY, 



301 




or and builder. On Jan. 1, 1873, he was married to ]Miss INI. Han- 
num, and they now have two children, a son and a daughter. Mr. 
Cooper lias given good satisfaction as Shei-it?, and has made during 
his residence in the county many warm personal friends. 

EDWARD B. GAYLORD— 1866. 

Edward B. Gaylord was born 
at Harpersfield, N. Y., June 9, 
184:5. His parents were Levi S. 
and Julia A. Gaylord. He came 
to this county in Oct., 1866 and 
engaged in farming. Juh' 19, '80 
he began the hardware business 
at Shelby village which he has 
since continued together with 
carrying on his farming opera- 
tions. He has been twice Ti'eas- 
urer of the county in which office 
he gave the best of satisfaction. ,^ 
On ^farch 17, 1870, he married 
Miss Miranda Jackson and four 
children, two sons and two 
daughters have been born to 
them: Truman P., Grace B., 
Gladys and E. Gardiner. Mar. e. b. gaylord. 

12, 1881, they had the misfortune to lose by death their daughter 
Grace B. As a straightforward business man Mr. Gaylord has al- 
ways stood high in his community. As a gentleman all are pleased 
to make his acquaintance, and as a pui)lic spirited citizen he has 
exercised a positive influence on the histor}^ of the county. 
JOEI. D. lixsday — 1866. 

Joel D. Linsday, son of Da- 
vid and Anna Dayton Lins- 
day, was born in Onondaga 
Co., N. Y., Oct. 5, 1822. He 
came to Michigan in 1836, 
settling in Branch Co., where 
he assisted in building the 
first log house in Butler town- 
ship in that county. He re- 
members distinctly one inci- 
dent that happened to him 
while living there by which he 
was frightened nearly out of 
his senses. While on his way 
to the shanty one day to jire- 
pare dinner, he espied an In- 
dian with his gun leveled at 




302 



OCKANA COUNTY PIONEERS 



him. He was not note.i before that as a rapid runner, but thereaf- 
ter h's fame in that hne was much increased. He considers it the 
greatest "i-unning effort" of his Ufe. He came to this county on 
Oct. 81, 186G, and located in the township of Claybanks, section 
25, where lie has since resided. He has always followed the busi- 
ness of farmuig. He now has a fine farm with good improvements, 
including one ot the finest farm residences in the township. The 
voters of his township have made him at different times Su^Dervisor, 
Clerk, Tieasurer and Justice, the latter office being held by him for 
24 years. On May 6, 1846, he married Polly H. Peabody, who 
died Aug. 25, 185(3. On July 4, 1857, he married Eunice A. 
Draper. He has been the father of seven children, four sons and 
three daughters. He'is now well along on the journey of life and in 
looking back can see many places where he has contributed his 
share to make the roses bloom. 

.JAMES E. PHILO— 1866. 

James E. l^hilo was boi'ii at Frankfort, Herkimer Co., N.Y.,I\rar. 

3, l*-'43, being a son of Elisha 
R and Phebe Philo. At the 
age of ten years he coir.menc- 
ed life upon a canal, continu- 
ing that occupation until he 
was twenty years of age. He 
then started West after put- 
ting in nearly a year in the 
Quartermaster's Department 
in the armj'. He worked at 
any occupation that would 
yield him good wages, reach- 
ing Oceana Co. Nov. 1, 1866. 
Since coming here he has 
worked in lumber woods and 
taught school. May 3,1868, 
he married Samantha Hol- 
comb. They have had five 
children, two sons and three 
daughtei's. For the past 12 
years IMr. Philo has been en- 
gaged in teaching and farming. He has held a number of offices in 
his township, among them Superintendent of Schools, Justice and 
Sup)ervisor. He is now a member of the Board of Supervisors from 
the township of Newlield. ]Mr. Philo is in every respect a perfect 
gentleman and a man whose opinions being founded upon good 
sense, command attention. 




J. E. PHILO. 



AND BUSINESS MEN OF TO-DAY. 



303 



FRANK O. GARDNER— 1800. 

Frank O. Gardner, today one of the leading business men of Pent- 
water, was born in Medina Co., Oliio, Feb. 28, 1844. He is a son 
of Henry and Elizabeth Gardner. He came to the townshii^ of 
Golden, Oceana Co., in Nov., 1866, and for two years was en^raged 
in working in the lumber woods, clearing land and building houses. 
He then bought what was known as the ''Dutch Boys" mill and has 
since that time been engaged 
in manufacturing lumber and 
shingles. Some time later 
the mill burned and he came 
to Pentwater and iDurchased 
the Bailey it Worden mill and 
opened a general merchandise 
store. He has since continu- 
ed a resident of the village of 
Pentwater where he now o\\ n^ 
considerable property and 
continues in the mill business 
also running a general store, 
at which he enjoys a good 
trade. Mr. Gardner has al- 
ways been a public spirited 
man but has positivelj' de- 
clined to accept i^olitical of- 
fices. He has since startm<; 
in business employed an a\- 
erage of thirty men continu- 
ously. He donated the land, 
hauled the lumber and logs 

for the second and third school houses built in the township of 
Golden. He also served his country in her time of need, being 1st 
Sergeant of Co. E, 10th Ohio Cav., and in Co. K, 84th Ohio Inf., 
serving in all 1,118 days. ]May 31, 1874, he was married to ]\Iiss 
Carrie A. Aubrey, at Pentwater, and four children have born to 
them, three sons and one daughter. Mr. and 'Sha. Gardner are 
highly respected by all who know them. 




..,>J'^^' 



F. O. GARDNER. 



JOHN B. GEBHART— 1866. 

John B. Gebhart was born at Lebanon, Pa., Sept. 17, 1819. His 
j)arents were John and Barbara Gebhart. His father was a farmer 
iind shoemaker, going about from house to house for the latter 
purpose. The family moved to Montgomery Co., Ohio, when our 
subject was si.x years of age. There he continued to live ux^on the 



304 



OCEAXA COUXTY PIOXEEHS 



farm until of age when he rented the farm and did business on his 
own account for six years. He then bought the farm and carried 
it on for another six years, then sold and moved to Huntington 
Co., Ind., where he lived four years, then sold and came to Oceana 
Co., arriving here Oct. 14, J 866. He came here because it was 
healthy here. At that time there were not to exceed a dozen houses 

ui Hart village. After com- 



ing here he lived one season 
on the Ben Eeed farm, one 
summer on the Whittington 
farm, and then on section 29, 
Hart, where he remained one 
year. He then bought tax ti- 
tle on forty acres on section 
30, Hart, where he now lives. 
The second year thereafter 
he secured homestead papers 
on that and an adjoining for- 
ty. As soon as he had one 
and one-half acres cleared he 
commenced setting fruit trees 
plums, pears and peaches, 
and now has two peach trees 
' '^ of these first he set that have 
borne peaches since they were 
four years old and measure 
11 and 12^2 iiiches respective- 
ly' in diameter. He has kept adding to the orchard and now has 23 
acres of peaches, four acres of apples and jDeaches, and six acres of 
plums, all bearing. He is one of the men who have made a success 
of fruit raising, and now has a fine fruit farm with convenient and 
commodious buildings. In 1843 he married Angeline Philabaum, 
Avho died in 1889. They had nine children, seven sons and two 
daughters. 




JEPTHA WKIGHT— 1866. 

JeiJtha Wright was born in Steuben Co., Ind., Dec. 7, 1847. His 
j)arents were Heiman and Jemima Wright. At the breaking out of 
the war he enlisted in Co. B, 12th Ind. Cav., and served as a i^ri- 
vate nearly thirty-three months. During his service in the army he 
had the misfortune to lose his right eye, an honorable scar of which 
any one might be proud. At the time he was serving in the army 
of the Cumberland and was at the time engaged in a scouting expe- 
dition in the vicinitj' of Huntsville, Ala., at a place known as the 



AXD BUSINESS MEN OF TO-DAY. 



305 



"Bif^ Cone." The squad he was with was aniliuslied l)y "Bush- 
whackers."' The fighting for a time was fast jind furiou.^, and in 
the melee Mr. Wright received a wound in the iiead which deprived 
him of his right eye, was wounded in the hip bj'a ball from a heavy 
rifle and his horse was killed and fell upon him. The rebels drew 
him out from under his horse and proceeded to divest him of spurs, 
boots and clothing, thinking he was dead. After forming their com- 
panies which had been .scattered by the companj' to wliich Mr. 
Wright belonged cutting its way out of the ambush, the leader of 
the Bushwhackers discovered that he was alive and assisted him to 
a mud-i3uddle where he washed off the blood and entertained him 
with the news that the ball had penetrated his skull and that he 
could not live. He also in- 
formed him that he wanted 
to send a message to the 
Union forces, and if he would 
like to undertake it he might 
do so. Mr. Wright consent- 
ing he informed him where he 
could fin(i a horse at a plant- 
ation near bj*. After much 
ditiicult}- and great suffering 
he succeeded in reaching the 
Union linesat Vienna, a small 
inland town twelve miles from 
Brownsborough, ujjon the 
railroad. He was well pleas- 
ed to again get back with the 
boj's in blue, but was compell- 
ed to lie at the stockades from 
July 8th until the middle of 
August, when he was taken 
to Huntsville, the ball ex- 
tracted from his hip, and 
then sent to a hospital in 

Nashville. In Oct., 186-1, he was able to return home upon a fur- 
lough, and remaining home but thirty days he returned to the front 
and was mustered out June 1, 186.5. We uisert this sketch of Mr. 
WriL;ht"s experiences because it gives an idea of the sufferings so 
many of our brave boys endured at the front. In March, 1866, 
Mr. Wright came to this county, locating m Shelby township. On 
Nov. 30, 1871, he married Miss Mary L. Vradenburg and they now 
have two children, a son and a daughter. They now reside on Sec. 
nine, having twenty-four acres of land all improved, and commodi- 
ous house and other buildings. He also has about seven acres of 




^.^# 



J. WRIGHT. 



306 



OCEANA COUNTY PIONEERS 



orchard. The farm is within the Hmits of Shelby villa^je and Mr. 
Wright is one of the present members of the Common Council. He 
is a member of Shields Post No. 68, G. A. R., Shelby. 

SAMUEL E. T^EWIS— 1866. 

Samuel E. Lswis. a son of Moses and Harriet Lewis, was born at 
Fredonia, Chautauqua Co., N. Y. He was for three years a soldier 
fighting in defense of his country's honor, being a member of Co. I, 
112th N. Y. Inf. In April, 1866, when this county was in its infancy 
he came here and has since made his home among us, now resid- 
ing upon a farm in the township of Benona. On March 18, 1867, 
he married Miss Adelle Wilson, and two sons have born to them. He 
is now well situated and possessed of many friends. 

MRS. WILLIAM TUTTLE— 1866. 

]Mrs. William Tuttle was 
the daughter of John and 
Margaret (Williams) Hughes, 
her father an Englishman and 
her mother a native of Nortli 
Wales. She was born in N. 
Wales, March 3, 1811, and 
came to America with her 
parents Oct. 25, 1832. They 
settled on a farm near Pal- 
myra, Portage Co., Ohio, 
where she married William 
Tuttle. In 1851, with her 
husband she moved to Mich- 
igan and located on a large 
farm south of Ionia, where 
they lived until 1866, when 
they moved to Pentwater. 
Mr. Tuttle died in Pentwater 
shortly after their ai'rival. 
She has two daughters Mrs. T. 
Collister and Mrs. P.Hanifin, 
and one son, Andrew P. She 
is still in the enjoyment of 
good health and bids fair to 




:mrs. w.m. tuttle 



comfort her children many years. 



MRS. THOMAS COLLISTER — 1866. 

Mrs. Thomas Collister was born in Palmyra, Portage Co., O. She 



AND BUSINESS MEN OF TO-DAY, 



307 



isadaughterofWm. (deceased) and Elizabeth Tiittle, now living with 
her, and was born Feb. 4, 
1852. She moved witli her 
parents to INIichigan in 1851, 
south of Ionia, where she 
spent her youthful daj-s. Her 
father's liealth began to de- 
cline and he was advised to 
make his residence near the 
lake, and moved to Pentwa- 
ter in 1866, she accompanying 
her parents. lie did not sur- 
vive long, however. Mrs. Col- 
lister became a Christian in 
early life. She lived with her 
married sister, Mrs. Hanitin, 
until her marriage. She wtis 
married to Thomas Collister 
Oct. 15, 1873, and remained 
his fnitliful, loving compan- 
ion until death called him, 
which took place Nov. 22, 
18Si). 3Ir. Collister left his 
widow in comfortable circum- 







mrh;. t. collister. 



stances. She is still a resident of Pentwater and much esteemed. 




J. W. ROBINSON. 



ROBINSON— 1866. 

John W. Robinson was born 
at South Bend, Ind., April 1, 
1856. He arrived with his 
pai-ents in Oceana Co. on the 
2()th day of Oct., 1866. In 
1870 he engaged in shingle 
manufacturing which busi- 
ness he followed until May, 
1886, when he bouf;ht out 
the mercantile business of 0. 
C. Stetson, at Walker\ ille. 
which he has contmued u^i to 
the present time. His busi- 
ness has gradually increased 
from the tnne of his first tak- 
ing possession of it. In 1886 
he did over $12,000: 1887, 



308 



OCEANA COUNTY PIONEERS 



$20,000, and 1888, $25,000 business. He has been so long in the 
county that he is well acquainted with pioneer life. He was at the 
first town iiieetingof Leavitt,and in the fall of 1866 when ten years 
of ;ige assisted in cutting a road a distance of seven miles to their 
homestead. In 1878, Aiiril 2nd, he married Miss Nellie E. Morris, 
a daughterofReesT. ]N[orris of Golden. Tliey have one child, a son. 



CALEB B. DAVIS — 1866. 

Caleb B. Davis, son of John and Betty Davis, was born on the 
21th day of Feb., 1809. in Monongalia Co.. Va. In his early man- 
hood he became a minister of the gospel of our blessed Lord and 
has preached many sermons during his life. On Dec. 16, 1831, he 

was married to Sarah Wag- 
ner, and ten children, six sons 
and fourdaughtei's have been 
born to them. After liis mar- 
riage he commenced farming, 
which he has continued to 
tlie present tijue. In 1866 lie 
made this county his home 
and has seen much of the past 
struggles of its pioneers. He 
expresses himself as much 
pleased with the county on 
account of the good agricul- 
tural advantages, health and 
climate, and states that if he 
had another life, to lead he 
would spend it all here. Full 
of years and the memory of 
pleasant days he still lives to 
enjoy the friendship and es- 
teem of those who surround 
him. 




('. B. DAVIS. 



.JOHX R. BUTLER— 1866. 

John R. Butler was born at Andover, Ohio, June 17, 1835, to 
Geo. and Rutli Butler. He acquired a good commercial education 
but chose farming for his occupation. He came to Oceana County 
in May, lb 66, settling in the township of Hart. He improved and 
still owns a very fine farm situated about one mile from the village. 
Politcally he is a republican, but by reason of a pleasing address, 
frank and cordial ways he is very popular with all classes. He has 
held the office of County Treasurer thirteen years, and always per- 



AND businp:ss men of to-day. 



309 



formed the duties to the sat- 
isfaction of the people. After 
beiny re-elected treasurer sev- 
eral times he took up his res- 
dence permanently in the vil- 
lage, -where he has built and 
with his wife enjoys one of 
tlie finest houses in the coun- 
ty. Since 1870 he has been 
engaged in the abstract of ti 
tie business, he and T. S.Gui- 
ney owning the only set of ab- 
stract books in the county 
Dec. 17, 18.57, Mr. Butlei 
was united in marriage to 
Delia M. Baker. The union 
Avas a liappy one. One daugh- 
ter was born to them, who is 
now the wife of a rising young 
attorney in Minneapolis, 
Minn. Socially Mr. Butler is 
one of the most agreeable of 
i:)ersons, and his jjresence al- 
Avays adds to the pleasure of any social gatherin; 
although just in the prime of vigorous manhood. 




J. n. BUTI.ER. 

He is quite gr;iy 



wiIjLIam f. lewis— 1866. 




William F. Lewis was born in 
Cliautauciua Co., N. Y., Dec. 12, 
1829. Settled in Shelby, Sec. 
31, 1866. Married, March 24, 
1852, to Eliza Frazine, who was 
born Aug. 8, 1828, and died Mar. 
3, 1882. Three children. AVm. 
F., born Sept. 15, 1853, died 
Feb. 11, 1869; George, born 
Sept. 26, 1855, died Aug. 21, 
1876; Eugene, born March 17, 
1860, and married, Apr. 20, '81 
to Alzine Green, who was born 
in Noble Co., Ind., May 2, 1860. 
Has been Pres. of Oceana Co. 
Ag. Society, N. G. of I. O. O. F., 
and is now Pres. of the Co. As- 
>?ociation of P. of I. 



310 



OCEANA COUNTY PIONEERS 



William Hiles w 



WILLIAM HILES — 1867. 

as born at Dryden, Tompkins Co., N. Y., July 22, 
1821. He is a son of John 
and Rosanna Allbright Hiles. 
On Jan. 23, '53, he was mar- 
ried to Miss Roxy A. Culver, 
a daughter of Rev. Simon 
B. and Betsey Vincent Cul- 
ver, and was born at Hart- 
ford, Cortland Co., N. Y., Ju- 
ly 4, 1H36. The result of this 
union has been four children, 
two sons and two daughters. 
Mr. and Mrs. Hiles came to 
Oceana County in May, 1867 
and he engaged in Lumbering 
which he continued until '80, 
when he retired from active 
business. That Mr. Hiles was 
an engeretic business man is 
evidenced by the fact that he 
has accumulated sufficient of 




WM. HILES.. 

this world's goods to main- 
tain him during his declining 
years without the necessity 
of toil. He now resides at 
Shelby during the summer 
months and spends the win- 
ters South. It is no exagger- 
ation to state that no i^er- 
sons in the county enjoy 
more fully the respect and es- 
teem of their acquaintances 
than Mr. Hiles and the niem- 
bers of his familv. 




,<»-'^-- 



11 



MRS. WM. HILES. 



ARCHIE R. MCKINNON— 1867. 

Archie R. McKinnon was born at Masonville, Delaware Co. N. Y. 



AND BU.-!INESS MEN OF TO-DAY. 



311 




A. R. MCKIXXOX. 



April 24, l6ol. His jjai'eiits were Archibald and Cordelia L. Mc- 
Kinnon. He came to Oceana County in the autumn of 1867, and 
commenced clearing up a farm on Sec. 26, Hart tovvnship. He af- 
terwards took a position with the Chicago it West Michigan 11. K. 
Co. and was for six years one of its most popular conductors. La- 
ter he j)urchased a hardware business at Shelby where he is now lo- 
cated. On Jan. 27, 18S6, he was married to Miss Jessie McQuar- 
rie, a lady who is now a great favorite in Shelby society and else- 
where where known. They have no children. 

Mr. McKinnon is acquainted with i:)ioneer life, having done his 
share towards driving back the forests, clearing fifty acres of land. 
He is acquainted with toil and is one of those who never hesitate 
to put their shoulders to tlie v»'heel when necessarj\ He is widely 
known, not as Mr. McKinnon, but as "Archie." Being the soul of 
honor, with frank and engaging manners, to know him is to be his 
friend. A good citizen, an lionorable business man, and withal a 
self-made man, long may "Archie" live to enjoy the friendship of the 
numerous friends who surround him. 



312 



OCEANA COUNTY PIONEERS 



CLARK A. NOBLE— 1867. 

Clark A. Noble was born in theStateof New York, July 21,1839, 

being tlie son of Cliauncey N. 
and Nancy Noble. He came 
to Oceana Co. in Jan., 1867, 
locating first at Pent water 
and later at Crystal Valley. 
He married in May, 1869, 
jNIiss Linn Richards who was 
boi'n in Pennsylvania, July 
1, 1818. Her parents were 
Geo. W. and Mary B. Rich- 
ards. Mr. Noble previous to 
1875, was engaged in book- 
keeping, clerking, insurance 
and patent right business. 
Since 1875 he followed the 
business of a scaler. He was 
for several years Postmaster 
at Crystal Valley. He has al- 
so been Superintendent of 
Schools, School Inspector and 
Township Clerk of Crystal 
township. Mr. Noble died 
from the effects of LaGripx^e, April 12, 1890, leaving wife and three 
children, two sons and one daughter, to mourn his loss. 




C. A NOBLE. 



W. D. Ackerson is a 
verine and a pioneer of this 
county. Born Jan. 22, 1819 
in thetownshipof INIetamora, 
Lapeer Co., and residing with 
his parents, for different jperi- 
ods of time, in several places 
in the counties of Oakland, 
Wayne and Kent; Mar. 22, 
1867, he arrived at Hart, 
having been four days on the 
road, driving two cows from 
Paris, Kent Co., his father 
(A. G. Ackerson) bringing 
the rest of the family and 
some goods through with the 



W. D. ACKERSON— 1867. 
Wol- '^. : 




AND BUSINESS MEX OF TO-DAY. 



313 



team; having; moved in most of the goods and a year's i^rovisions 
the previous winter. Since ]Mr. Ackerson has been one of us he has 
spent the most of his time farming summers and teaching school 
winters until six years ago, when he engaged in his present occuioa- 
tion, photography. Many of the cuts in this book are copies of hi.s 
work. On Dec. 1, 1883, he married ]Miss Mattie Davis, of White- 
hall, Muskegon Co. He met with a clear loss of §450 in the great 
Hart iire of Jan. 13. 1889, which was a severe loss for him, but 
aside from the loss by fire, he has donewliat no other photographer 
ever did in Hart; he has made a living at his business, and has 
worked up so good a trade that it is now considered one of the 
best locations in the State. 



DEWITT C. BENJAMIN— 18(37. 

DeWitt C. Benjamin was born in Wayne Co., Ohio, Feb. 20, 1852. 
He is the eldest son of Ebene- 
zer A. and Margaret Benja- 
min who reside in Weare 
township. He was raised up- 
on a farm and has followed 
that vocation up to the pres- 
ent time. He came to Oce- 
ana Co. in April, 1867, and 
has resided here continuous- 
ly since. On May 22, 1889, 
he was married to JNIiss Lib- 
bie Sage whose parents also 
reside in Weare. He has been 
School Inspector of his town- 
ship. He now owns eighty 
acres of land on Section 17, 
Weare, upon which he has a 
comfortable house and a 
small barn. There is also up- 
on his place an orchard of 
three hundred bearing trees, 
peach, ajjple, plum and pear. 

There is an improvement of forty-si.x acres altogether. He is known 
as a hard-working and honest man, having many friends among his 
neighbors and acciuaintances. 




D. C. BENJAMIN. 



JOHN WESTB ROOK— 1807. 

John Westbrook was born in Castile, Wyoming Co., X. Y., Sept. 
27. 1811. He is a son of S. K. and Maiy Westbrook. He is also 



314 



OCEANA COUNTY PIONEERS 




jiffTf 

J. WESTBROOK 



one of the old soldiers of our civil war, bearing an honorable wound 

which is noticeable to all who 
meet him. He was a mem- 
ber of Co. A, 104th N.Y.Vol. 
Inf. in which he served as a 
private about fifteen months. 
From Aug. 9th to Sept. 17th 
he was in seven battles and 
lost a leg at the battle of An- 
tietam. In April, 1867, he 
came to Oceana Co., where he 
has since resided. On Sept. 
26, 1^68, he married Phebe 
A. Ballon, and they have one 
son and one daughter. jNIr. 
Westbrook's business has 
been that of a glove-maker 
and farmer. At x^vesent he is 
engaged in the manufacture 
of broom handles. He has 
held several offices, such as 
Justice of the Peace, Town- 
ship Treasurer, Highway Commissioner, Deputy Sheriff and Council- 
man. As an upright, honorable man his word is as good as his bond 
and no one hesitates to take either; hence it is not necessary for 
us to state that his friends are legion. 

JOSEPH TYLER— 1867. 

Joseph Tyler was born at 
Sturgis, Mich., Dec. 24, 1835. 
He came to Oceana County 
in 1867, and commenced the 
clearing of a farm and cleared 
seventy acres half way be- 
tween Hart and Shelby vil- 
lages. In 1882 he sold his 
farm and engaged in the hard- 
ware business at Shelby where 
he continued for four years, 
then selling his business to 
Mr. A. R. McKinnon. He 
built and now owns the store 
building. He also owns a 
farm of 100 acres known as 
the old Peterson farm on the 
town line one and one-half 




AND BUSINESS ME>f OF TO-DAY. 



315 



miles east of the State road in Shelby township. He lives in Shel- 
by village, while his son Elmer conducts the farm. 'Mv. Tyler has 
been twice married. In 1859 to Roselia Blanchard, by whom he 
has one son and one daughter, the daughter now residing in Califor- 
nia. His first wife dying in 1876, in 1877 he married his present 
wife, Janette Stevens, by whom he has one son. Mr. Tyler has al- 
ways taken an interest in public affairs and in 1886 was elected 
Sheriff of the count}'. He has many friends in all parts of the Co. 



CHART>ES W. FISHER— 1889. 

diaries W. Fisher was born in Carbon Co., Pa., July 24, 1842. 
His parents were Jacob and Mary Fisher. At the the breaking out 
of the war he enlisted in Co. C, 
3rd Penn. Cav. as a private 
and served three years and 
one month. In 18G6, Dec. 
19th, he married INIiss Han- 
nah J. Selser, and three chil- 
dren, one boy and two girls, 
now constitute their family. 
In June, 1867, he came to 
Oceana Co., si^ending about 
a year at Pent water, then re- 
turning to Pennsylvania 
where he became Asst. Supt. 
of the Lehigh Valley Coal Co. 
He continued in that business 
for about ten years when he 
returned to this county, lo- 
cating at Shelby and engag- 
ing in the hotel business, and 
for four 3'ears was known as 
landlord "Wes," being a pop- 
ular landlord with all classes. 

About a year ago Mr. Fisher quitted the hotel business to engage 
in the general mercantile business in which he still continues, and is 
meeting with fair success. He has been elected Constable of his 
township, and in March, 1890, was elected a Trustee of Shelby vil- 
lage. He is an ardent G. A. R. man, a warm-hearted citizen, and a 
kind husband and father. He enjoys as much as any man in Shel- 
by the esteem and friendship of his neighbors. 

.TAMES H. SLATER — 1867. 

James H. Slater, the subject of this sketch, is a native Wolverine, 




C. W. FISHER. 



316 



OCEANA COUNTY PIONEERS 




having been born at Xiles, Berrien Co., Mich., Nov. 12, 1882. He 
is a son of Henry J. and Lucy Slater. He came to Oceana Co. Aug. 

15, 1867. He has followed 



different occupations, having 
been a grocer, hardware mer- 
chant and shoemaker. He is 
now engaged in the manufac- 
ture of artificial limbs, at 
which business he is kept bu- 
sy, having more work in this 
line than one not acquainted 
with the business would sup- 
pose. Oct. 3, 1852, he w-as 
married to INIiss Clarissa E. 
Wager, and one son and two 
daughters have blessed their 
union. JNIr. Slater has done 
his part toward the mainte- 
nance of the Union of the 
States, having served as a 
private in Co. K, 83rd Ills. 
Inf. from Aug. 1,1862, to Ju- 
ly 5, 1865. He is at present 
prominent in G. A. R. affairs 
and is one of the Past Commanders of Joe Hooker Post, at Hart. 
As a civilian he has been called to various places of trust and hon- 
or, among them Township Clerk, Village Clerk and Village Marshal. 
He is a man who possesses in a marked degree the respect and es- 
teem of all. 

MARTIN BAKER— 1867. 

Martin Baker, the subject of this sketch, was born in Chautaucxua 
Co., N. Y., March 20, 1829. He was one of five children of Thomas 
and Paulina Baker. His father died in Ripley, N. Y., April 14, '84, 
and his mother at Barcelona, N. Y., Sept. 10, 1889. Mr. Baker liv- 
ed with his parents until he was twenty-two years of age, when the 
California gold excitement attracted him and he decided to try his 
fortune in the West. In 1852 he returned to his home and shortly 
afterward married Miss Azubali Graham. In 1854 he came to 
Michigan, settling in Hillsdale Co. where he engaged in photogra^Dhy 
remaining until 1859. In that year he removed to Ripley, Chau- 
tauqua Co., N. Y., and entered into the grocery and hardware busi- 
ness. He was successful in this business and continued it until '67, 
■when he sold out and came to this county, locating in Claybanks, 
where he purchased a half interest in his brother Joseph's farm; also 



J. H. SLATER. 



AND BUSINESS MEN OF TO-DAY. 



317 



conducting; a small tinshop. At this time he built the house -where 
his family now reside. He resided upon the farm until the fall of 

1880, when he removed to 
Montague, where on Aug. 26, 

1881, he died. The remains 
were brought to Claybanks 
and buried in Mount Hojie 
cemetery. The funeral ser- 
mon was j)reached by that 
old i)ioneer minister, Rev. A. 
A. Darling. Mr. Baker Avas 
honored and respected by all 
who knew him. He was for 
several j^ears Supervisor of 
his townshij), and a leading 
member of the Grange. He 
left to ]nourn his death, a 
Avidow, one son, Frank L., 
three brothers, Levi, Joseph, 
and John W. Baker, and one 
sister, Mrs. John Barber, all 
now residents of Claybanks. 

MARTIN BAKER. 




EDWIN O. PECK, JR. — 1867. 



Edwin O. Peck. Jr. 



wns born at Williamsfield, Ashtabula Co.,0., 
Jan. 11, 1840. At the age of 
nine years he moved with his 
parents to Richmond, same 
county, where he remained 
upon a farm until 1860. On 
Oct. l-lth of that year he was 
married to ^Iiss Adelaide Lan- 
don, of Crawford Co., Pa. 
His effects at that time con- 
sisted of a horse and buggy, 
which were sold to purchase 
household goods. In Aug., 
1863, he enlisted in Co. M, 
2nd Ohio H. Art., leaving his 
wife and babe in the care of 
his and her parents. After 
2 years of soldier life he was 
E. o. PECK. mustered out of the service 




318 OCEAXA COUNTY PIONEERS 

at Nashville, Tenn. That same day, his babe, then three years old, 
died. In Sept., '73, he in company with his father, came to Oceana 
Co. There was at that time but one frame building, the old Court 
House, in Hart. He staid here about a week, then walked from 
Amos Putney's house in Ferry to Ferrysburg and took the train 
for home in Ohio. In Sept., 1867, he returned to Ferry where he 
lias since resided. In April, 1873, his wife died leaving two little 
girls to his care, Maud E., aged six years and Laura J., aged four 
years. Mar. 29, 1874, he married Miss Matie Vanetten, and in Oct. 
1877, their only child, Alida May, was born. His eldest child, 
Maud E., was married Feb. 20, 1887, to Henry Heim. Her health 
began to fail previous to her marriage, and on Dec. 23, 1889, after 
enduring with Christian fortitude much pain and suffering, she was 
called home where "the weary are at rest." Apr. 10, l!?87, Laura 
J., his second daughter was married to Edwin D. Thomas, of Con- 
neaut, Crawford Co., Pa. Mr. Peck has been an eye witness and an 
earnest helper of the development of Oceana Co., it being a wilder- 
ness when he came to it. He was a delegate to the County Conven- 
tion that gave E. J. Reed the nomination for Sheriff, and since that 
time has taken an earnest interest in ]iolitics. His party owe him 
much for the work he has done in its behalf. He has held the ofiices 
of Supervisor, Highway Commissioner two terms, Justice two 
terms. Constable, and is now Deputy Sheriff. Most of his time in 
the county has been sjient iTi the lumber woods and on liverdrives. 
He was Superintendent of the White River drives one year, making, 
three drives in one season, something that he claims has never been 
accomplished before or since. This was during the summer of the 
Mu.r>kegon strikes and the strikers offered to work for him at reduc- 
ed wages, but he refused to take them, continuing to keep the wages 
of his men up, thus securing the esteem of his men and good work. 

EDWARD p. GREGORY— 1867. 

Edward P. Gregory was born at Guilford, Vt., Aug. 20, 1830. He 
is a son of Stephen and Hannah Gregory. He remained at the 
l^lace of his birth until he was thirty-five years of age, then enlisted 
in Co. I, 8th Vt. Inf., and was mustered in as sergeant and served 
three years. He was at the battle of Port Hudson, La., which was 
an almost continuous fight for forty daj^s. After the close of the 
Avar he went to Nebraska whei'e he remained about one year, then 
coming to Oceana Co. in 1867, locating on Sec. 29, Weare town- 
ship, where he has since resided. He now has eighty-four acres of 
land, fifty-four under improvement. On Sept. 23, 1868, he was 
married to Miss Fannie F. Smith, a sister of N. C. Smith, of ^^'eare. 
Mr. Gregory has been Supervisor one term, Highway Commissioner 



AXl) BUSINESS MEN OP TO-DAY, 



319 



one term, and five yeai's a member of the School Board. He is 
known in Ijis section as an honest, upright man, whose word is as 
good as his bond. 

CHARLES LAMONT— 18(58. 

Charles Lamont, familiarly known as Captam Lamont, was born 
near JNIontreal, Canada, Dec. 25, 1833. His parents were Lewis 
and Helen Lamont, both of whom are dead, the mother dying in 
1874 and father in 1885, both at Goderich, Can. He had one 
brother, who is now located 
at Seattle, Wash., and is a 
man of means. No sisters. 
Mr. Lament's early days 
were spent at his birthplace 
and in the city of Buffalo, N. 
Y., where in 1864 he was mar- 
ried to Miss Harriet Bates. 
In early life he commenced 
steamboating, and soon be- 
came master of a steamboat, 
which business he followed 
until his death. In 1868, in 
taking a tug around thelakes 
he ran in at Pentwater for 
fuel, and finding business good 
decided to remain, sending 
for his family. He continued 
in that business until March 

14, 1880, when he was drown- c. lamont. 

ed. Mr. Lamont left a family consisting of a wife (now Mrs. H. 
Mohrdiek), three daughters and two sons, Ethia, now Mrs. John- 
ston, living at Seattle; Edith, now Mrs. Hutchinson, living at Pent- 
water, and Charles Guy, Rutherford and Hattie, living witii their 
mother at Pentwater. Mr. Lamont was known as an open-hand- 
ed, free-hearted man, and in consequence of these traits possessed 
many friends where known. 




FAYETTE WALKER— 1868. 

Fayette Walker was Ijorn at Warsaw', N. Y., Aug. 24, JS3S; and 
is the son of Hiram F. and Alinira A. Walker. He was married on 
Nov. 10, 1868, to Phebe I. Hoisington, on the same day started 
for the West, and on Nov. 20th, found himself in the Township of 
Leavitt, this county. Jan. 1, 1869, he commenced keeping house 
on the S. W. ]^ of Sec. 2, where he lived one year. Then moving to 



320 



OCEANA COUNTY PIONEERS 




Sec. 22, Colfax, he remaiued until the fall of 1880. He then remov- 
ed to Sec. 8, Leavitt, buying 
a saw mill of Geo. Holt and 
A. C. Stetson, which he con- 
tmued to own and run until 
the fall of 1882, then selling 
to Dunham Ross. In '83 he 
l)l<itted the now thriving town 
of Walkerville and in 1884 
built the mill he now owns 
and runs, which consists of 
saw, shingle, planing and feed 
mill. In '78, Jan. 4, his wife 
died, and Nov. 30, 18S2, he 
was again married, this time 
to Florence Hunger. Both 
his wives were formerly of 
Warsa w, N. Y., his birthplace. 
He IS the father of five child- 
ren four sons and one daugh- 
ter. Mr. Walker has added 
materially to the prosper- 
F. WALKER. ity of his section, and the 

town that bears his name 

bids fair to become one of the leading villages of the county. 

RALPH F. AMES— 1868. 

Ralph F. Ames was born in 
Scio, Alleghany Co., N. Y., 
Aug. 28, '38, and was a son 
of Abner A.and Louisa Ames. 
He enlisted in Sept., 1862, in 
Co. F. 1.51 Pa. Vol. Inf., and 
served for twelve months. He 
says "served my government 
without squealing or kicking 
for $13 per month and took 
my pay in greenbacks." In 
'60 came to this county and 
has made his home here since. 
He began life as a farmer in 
1856, and has followed that 
worthy occupation since. 
Oct. 29, 1856, he married 
Tirzah A. Chappell, and on 




AXD BUSINESS MEN' OK TO-l)AY. 



321 



Dec. 2, 1863, he was again married, this time to Eunice M. Bigelow, 
and he is the father of twelve children, five sons and seven daugh- 
ters. ]Mr. Ames prides himself upon his adherence to one political 
party through thick and thin. He has always been a republican. 

JACOB FISHER— iSnS. 

Jacob Fisher was born at \Villiamsi)ort . Pa.. Sept. 7. 1S4(5. He 
is a son of Jacob and Mai'y Fisher. He lived with his i)a rents until 
the age of 22 years, receiving a common .sehool education. He came 
to Oceana Co. in May, 1868, 
and since that time has been 
engaged in various occupa- 
tions. He was for some time 
the landlord of the Imus 
House at Pentwater, where 
he was very popular with the 
traveling pubHc. For a num- 
ber of years he has owned 
and run the steamer Wm. H. 
Browne between Pentwater 
and Ludington. Always a 
gentleman and considerate of 
the safety and comfort of his 
passengers, he has been ena- 
bled to do a good business in 
this line and rumor says has 
made money. He is a promi- 
nent member of the Masonic J. fisher. 
fraternity and the confidence 

of the citizens of Pentwater has been manifested by hi.-' election as 
Village Trustee. He was married in 1.^.^1 to Frances Amond, of 
Grand Rapids. They have no children. 

GEORGE W. IMUS— 1868. 

George W. Imus was born in Bennington <'n.. V' . .'nly 14. 1^40, 
and, like Stephen A. Douglas, emigrated voiiml!. coini;!.; to Michigan 
when only four j-ears of age. He traces his ancestry back to revo- 
lutionary times, his grandfather, William Imus, having been a sol- 
S^ dier in that war, and his father, Alonzo, a soldier of the war of 
1812. Upon coming to Michigan MTTTnuis settled with his parents 
in Kent Co. near the now flourishing city of Grand Rapids, then a 
small village of about 1,500 population. He attended district 
school winters until fifteen years of age. then goin.i to Albion College 
Avhere he remained three years. After leaving college he engaged in 




322 



0("KANA COUNTY PIONEKliS 




teachin::; which lie ^•oiitiimel until 1865, when he was mariied. He 

then engaged in farming for 
three years at the exjii ration 
of which he sold his farm and 
came to Oceana Co., locating 
at Pentwater. He then en- 
gaged in the mercantile busi- 
ness until 1872, when he pur- 
chased the weW known "Imus 
House" at Pentwater, which 
he still owns and which he has 
kept most of the time. Mr. 
Imus has held several offices 
of trust, among which are 
School Trustee, Village Trus- 
tee and Supervisor of Pent- 
water Township. His family- 
consists of a wife and two 
daughters, Georgia P. and Al- 
berta J. L. Mr. Imus is also a leading member of the Masonic fra- 
ternity and one of the Past Masters of Oceana Lodge No. 200 F. & 
A. M. He is also identified with the A. O. U. W. organization. He 
is a mail of sound judgment and has given good satisfaction as a 
Supervi or. 

EDWARD A. WRIGHT— 1868. 

Edward A. Wright, son of 
Austin and Lydia Wright, 
was born June 22, 1844, in 
Hillsdale Co., Mich. He resid- 
ed with his parents on a farm 
until 1861, when he enlisted 
in Co. G, 1 8th Mich. Vol. Inf. 
and served as an Orderly 
under Gen. R. S. Gi-angerfor 
three years. After leaving the 
army he returned to Hillsdale 
Co., andshortly went to East- 
man Business College, PouLili- 
keepsie, N. Y. Leaving Col- 
lege he returned to Jones ville, 
Hillsdale Co., where he then 
accepted a position in the 
drug store of R. S. Varnuni 
& Co., where he learned the 
drug business. After leaving 




A. WRIGHT. 



AND BUSINESS MKN OF TO-DAV. 



323 



the drug store, in ls6s he came to Oceana. Co., locatiiifj at Pentwa- 
ter, where he soon engaged in the grocery and bakeiy l)usiness whicli 
he continued for four years, then formed a copartnership with C. 
W. Brown in the drug business. In 1876 he bought out his part- 
ner's interest and has since continued the business alone. Mr. 
Wright has been elected to various public offices, among them being 
Supervisor of Pentwater two terms, Recorder of the village six 
years and one year Trustee. He has always discharged the duties 
of his offices without fear or favor, and has been urged to accept 
others which he has declined. Manned Oct. 4, 1868, to Miss Eva 
Tuller, and their family now consists of a daughter, Edna, born 
March 4, 1877, and son, Willie, born Jan. 6, 1883. 



HEXRY HURLEY— 18 68. 

Henry Hurley was born at Belleville, Ont., Feb. 8, 1868. He was 
one of seven children of Den- 
nis and Ann Hurley. Of the 
family there are still living 
his mother at Belleville, Ont., 
one brother, Jeremiah, and 
one sister, INIary. The s\ib- 
ject of our sketch spent his 
early days at his birthplace 
with his parents upon a farm. 
In the sjiringof 1862 he came 
to Michigan, living at Sagi- 
naw a. short time and from /; 
there drifting about until in 
June, 1868, he came to this ^fi, 
county, landing at Pentwater ',,• 
where he engaged at his trade '■' 
that of a carpenter, for a few 
months, then as a foreman 
upon the government piers 
for Mr. C. Mears, and later 
receiving the ai^pointment 

from the Government of Superintendent of the work. In June, '72, 
he accepted the position of Superintendent of Mr. Mears' lumber 
business at Silver Lake on Little Pt. Au Sable. Here he continued 
until 1884, when he returned to Pentwater to take charge of the 
Middlesex Brick & Tile Co. business, continuing as the manager of 
that business until his death. His death wa.-< very sudden and to- 
tally unexpected. For some time he had been subject to strange 
feelings, shortness of breath and weak spells. The night before he 




H. HURLEY, 



324 



(HE AN A COUNTY PiONEEUsi 



died lie hnd severe chills and cold sweats, but was feeling; better in 
the morning and in the evening seemed as well as usual. He retired 
to rest at lii^ usual hour on Sunday evening, Apr. 28, 1889, his wife 
not rtrtiring at the same time. He had been in bed about half an 
hour when she hearing unusual sounds from him ran into his sleeping 
room and found him in the agonizies of death, and in about five 
minutes his spirit had departed. Mr. Hurley was married May 24, 
'64, to Mary A. Donovan, who survives him, now residing at Mears. 
He was the father of three children, Thomas J., Henry J. and John 
F., who still survive. He was born and bred in the Catholic faith 
to which he clung during life. He was buried by that denomination 
Rev. Father Willigan officiating, May 1, lHb9. In his lifetime Mr. 
Hurley affiliated politically with the democratic party, and an evi- 
dence of his populai'ity is to be found in the fact that he was elect- 
ed Su]>ervisor of Pentwater township which was at that time a re- 
l^ubliran township. Slow to anger, but withal strenuous in defense 
of his own and others' rights. Mr. Hurley possessed many warm 
personal fi'iends to whom the announcement of his sudden death 
was a i.ie.'it shock. 

JOHN H. MOORE— 1868. 



Jnl,:! •;. ]Moore, a son of Benjamin and Hannah Moore, was born 

in Washtenaw Co., Mich. He 
came to this county in 1868, 
and has resided here since 
that time. In 1878 he start- 
ed in the lumber business and 
was for six years manager of 
the lumber dejiartment for 
Wheeler & Bros, at Shelby. 
He with D. R. Watters built 
the Blooming Valley saw mill 
which was burned in 1881. 
Was also engaged forC. Rolpli 
one year in the lumber busi- 
ness. He bought the Shelby 
grist mill in 1888, and the 
next year formed the Shelby 
Roller Mill Co. and together 
with Mr. McLeod built the 
Shelby roller mills, afterwards 
selling h's interest to Mr. G. B. Getty. At present he is engaged in 
lumbering. Mr. Moore was married in 1876 to Miss MaryC. Cutler 
and now has two children, a son, Floyd, and daughter, Eda. Mr. 




J. A. MMOllK. 



AND BUSINESS MEN OP TO-DAY. 



325 



Moore has seen considerable of pioneer life, enduring its hardships 
and enjoying its sports. He has had many a pleasant time hunt- 
ing bear by day and deer by night, and believes that pioneer life is 
not all hardship. He is now well satisfied with his surroundings 
and not inclined to grumble. 



THOS. KELLY— 1868. 



Thomas Kelly was born in Chautauqua Co., N. Y., Jan. 31, '45. 
His parents were John and Betsey Kelly. At the commencement 
of our late civil war he enlisted in Co. I, 8th N. Y. Cav., and was 
mustered as 1st Corporal, serving three years and two months. 
Dec. 22, 1867, he was married to Miss Lucinda Prosser, who has 
borne him one daughter who has since died. Nov. 3, 1868, he came 
to Oceana Co., coming here at an early day in our history. Always 
incapable of fear, what he 
lacked in the advantages that 
money brings he made up in 
energy and pluck. Almost 
continually in office, having 
been Under Sheriff, Constable 
and Village Marshal for many 
years. No storm ever blew 
hard enough to deter "Tom"' 
from the execution of a duty. 
He was the princii)al in fer- 
retingoutthat great burglary 
case in which C. Mears' store 
at Meai's, and later, A. G. 
Avery's store at Shelby were 
burglarized and a large quan- 
tity of goods stolen. Mr. 
Kelly's shrewdness and cor- 
rect management of the case 

would liavedonecredit to an exjierienced Pinkerton detective; near- 
ly all the stolen goods being returned to their owners. "Tom" is a 
great lover of good horses and at present the happy possessor of 
Goldwin, registered in Wallace's Register 8979, and a very x^romis- 
ing animal; having cost him about $1,000. J. I.C. and Phallos are 
half uncles to Goldwin who promises to equal the performances of 
his illustrious relatives. In the enjoyment of the fruits of hai'd la- 
bor he still resides in the county where he has made what property 
he possesses. ]Mr. Kelly is now living at Shelby where he has a wide 
circle of friends and acquaintances. 




T. KELLY. 



326 



OCEANA COUNTY PIONEERS 



WESLEY AND BERTIE ROLPH — 1868. 

Wesley and Bertie Rolph, sons of Wm. and HannaRoIph are now 
in i^artnership on tlie old home farm on the road between Shelby 
and Hart villages. They are both pioneers of the county. Wesley, 
born at Fullerton's Corners, Perth Co., Can., May 29, 1868, came 
with his parents to this county in the fall of 1868, and Bertie was 
born in this county in Slielby township, April 13, 1870. Their 
father was a carpenter and farmer, and since his death they have 
run the farm. It is now one of the best farms in the township. 
The boys have won the i-espect and confidence of their neighbors. 

WM. E. AMBLER — 1868. 

See page 217. 



MARK A. RICE— 1869. 

Mark A. Rice was born at Greensburg, Trumbull Co., Ohio, Mar. 
1, 1846. He is a son of Allen and Sophia Rice. He resided with 

his parents at his birthi^lace 
until eight years of age, and 
at different places in Ohio 
and Penn. until about 1858, 
Avhen they came to Hillsdale, 
Mich. Here he resided for 
eight or nine years during 
which time he was for 
a short time a student 
in Hillsdale College. While 
there he learned the jeweler's 
trade and later took up teleg- 
raphy, securing a position on 
the air line road. He contin- 
ued this for a short time and 
then secured a situation with 
INIr. A. Gleason in the busi- 
ness of die sinking. This he 
was engaged at for four years 
after which lie came to Pent- 
water, in June, 1869, on a visit and decided to remain, making his 
home here since. He commenced here as a watchman in the Moul- 
ton & Flagg mill one season, filed for two years and then went to 
work at the jewelry business with Mr. Jesse Root. When the rail- 
road came he took the telegraph station up town and has held it 
ever since. Finally he took the express also, and Mr. Root leaving 




M. A. RICE. 



AND BUSINESS MEN OF TO-DAY. 



327 



he after a time started a jewelry business of his own and has gi'ad- 
ually added to it until at present he carries a good stock and does 
a good business. He was one of the sufferers by the fire of Sept. 20, 
1889, losing his building and considerable of his stock. On Aug. 6, 
18S0, he married Mrs. ]Martha Craine, and one daughter, Marga- 
ret, has been born to them. Mr. Rice has held the positions of Vil- 
lage and Township Treasurers, and is now a member of the Com- 
mon Council. A jovial, whole-hearted man he jDossesses many 
friends. 

GRIN WISWELL— 1869. 

Orin Wiswell was born in Windham Co., Vt., in 1833. His par- 
ents were James and Betsey Wiswell. He was raised upon a farm, 
enjoying only the usual school benefits enjoyed by farmer's sons. 
In 1859 he was married to 
Frances S. Freeman, and 
two sons have been born to 
them. He was one of those 
who answered to the call of 
his country in her time of 
I)eril; and went to the front 
in Co. D, 4th Regt. Mich. Cav. 
Heserved 22 months as a pri- 
vate of that Co. He came to 
Mich, in '56, located in Neway- 
go Co. moving into Oceana Co. 
Oct., 1869. He is familiar 
with pioneer life, although his 
first experience was not in 
this county, but over the line 
in Newaj-go Co. He has all 
his life been engaged in farm- 
ing, and is known as an hon- 
est and upright man. He has 
been honored by the electors 
of his township with the i)Osi- 

tion of Superintendent of Schools. He now has a farm on section 
34, Ferry, of forty acres with thirty improved. Mr. Wiswell is a 
member of R. M. Johnson Post No. 138, at Ferry, and has held the 
office of Commander therein. 




O. WISWELL. 



JOSEPH SCHANER— 1869. 

Joseph Schaner was born at Detroit, Mich., March 10, 1842. His 
parents, Nicholas and Catherine Schaner, were of German descent. 



328 



OCEANA COUNTY PIONEERS 




J. SCHANER. 

structions. In addition to the 
broad acres of land Mr. Schaner 
has a tine brick residence, a view 
of \Yhich is given on page 147 of 
this book, three commodious 
barns, a steam thresher and feed 
miU. Mr. and Mrs. Schaner have 
always been known as hard- 
working, economical people, full 
of push and energy. As a busi- 
ness man Mr. S. is well known, 
his word being as good as his 
bond, and any man wanting work 
is lucky to secure it of him as it 
ahvays means cash. They have 
had ten children, seven sons and 
thi-ee daughters. 



On Oct. 6, 1864, he married 
Christina Wehren, who was 
born in Holland, Aug. 21, '47 
her parents being Lorenz and 
Marie Wehren. Twenty days 
after they were married they 
arrived in Oceana Co. and lo- 
cated upon their present farm. 
At that time there were but 
eighteen acres cleared, but 
now there are 100 acres clear- 
ed and free from stumps. He 
may boast, without fear of 
contradiction ot having one 
of the finest farms in the coun- 
ty. Where stumps abound 
so universally as they do in 
the county it is a pleasure to 
"aze upon his broad fields, 
smooth and clear of all ob- 




MRS. J. SCHANER. 



CHRISTIAN ANDREAS — 1869. 

Christian Andreas was born at Niederdunzebach, Prussia, July 
14, 1830. His parents were Conrad and Annie Andreas. He came 
to America March 21, 1864, and settled in Ohio remaining there 
until he came to this county April 16, 1869. He purchased 80 
acres of school land on Sec. 16, in Leavitt township, and sent for 



AND BUSINESS MEN OP TO-DAY. 



329 



his wife after he had raised a small log house. At that time there 
were only sixteen settlors in the township. When he first came he 
worked in lumber woods to support his faniily until he could clear 
enough land on which to 
raise his living. His nearest 
point for trading was Pent- 
w.ater, from which place he 
backed his provisions. The 
country was full of wild 
beasts. One incident he 
well remembers. One day 
his children were out gather- 
ing beech nuts and a bear 
came into their midst. The 
parents saw the af?air and 
were thoroughly frightened. 
The children that they might 
not see the bear threw their 
clothing over their heads, and 
the bear went on without mo- 
lesting them, to the great joy 




C. ANDREAS. 



of the ijarents. He worked four 
years at first without any team, and 
logged eight acres by hand. On June 
18, 1853, he was married to Mary- 
Schmidt, who was born in Prussia, 
Feb. 12, 1828, being a daughter of 
Henry and Christiana Schmidt. She 
came to this county in June, 1869, 
'and from that time to the present has 
been a faithful helpmeet to her hus- 
band. Her father was a farmer, and 
at the age of sixteen years she com- 
menced to work out and proved so 
faithful that in ten years she changed 
places but twice. When her husband 
has been sick she has taken the child- 
ren with her and gone into the logging fallow. She suffered from 
fear of wild bea.sts and from loneliness considerable. She remem- 
bers a terrible thunder storm in the middle of one night when she 
was alone with the children, she gathered them in the middle of 
the room expecting each moment the house Avould be destroyed. 
They have six children, five sons and one daughter, who is now the 
wife of Levi Vaughan. Mr. Andreas and his present surroundings 




MRS. C. ANDREA? 



330 



OCEANA COUNTY PIONEERS 



are illustrations of what pluck and energy will accomplish. When 
he reached this county he had eleven cents left in his pocket. Now 
he has 160 acres of land, J 00 under improvement; a two-story 
house 18x26 with addition 16x16; woodhouse and shop 16x26; 
barns 32x72 and 32x40; granary 20x2'^; wagon shed 18x20; ma- 
chine houses 18x30 and 18x24; hog house 16x20. Farm fenced 
with board fence. 21 head of cattle; 7 horses; 12 sheep; 10 hogs; 
11 swarms of bees, and altogether one of the best appointed farms 
in the township. His father, 89 years old Nov., 1889, lives with 
him. 

RANSOM SABIN — 1869. 

Ransom Sabin was born in New York, June 19, 1836, being a son 
of Ransom and Jane Sabin. He enlisted in Co. H, 2nd Missouri 
Cav. and for nearly two years cared for the sick and wounded sol- 
diers in hospital at Benton 
Barracks, St. Louis, Mo. In 
May, 1869, he came to Oce- 
ana Co. and since coming here 
has followed his profession of 
physician and surgeon. He 
owned a drug store at Beno- 
na which was burned in 1870. 
For fifteen years he lias resid- 
ed at ShelbJ^ The first fifteen 
years of his experience in this 
county were full of hardships 
•and toils, riding day or night 
rain or shine, over new and 
poor roads. His health fail- 
ing he spent x^art of two win- 
ters in the South, returning 
to Shelby summers. Besides 
attending to his professional 
duties he has found time to 
invent a folding pail, folding 
baths and a portable pantry. He is also author of a book entitled 
"Home Pleasures," published at Battle Creek, Mich. Mr. Sabin was 
married in 1859 to Ann E. Prine, who died in 1861. Again mar- 
ried in 1862 to Louisa M. Boll, who died in 1880. In 1886 he mar- 
ried Elvira S. Halleck, his present wife. He has three children, two 
sons and one daughter. 

FRANKLIN M. MEYERS— 1869. 

Franklin M. Meyers, born at Independence, Iowa, Feb. 4, 1859^ 




R. SABIN. 



AND BUSINESS MEN OF TO-DAY. 



331 



is a son of Peter and Betsey A. Meyers. He came to Oceana Co. on 
Aug. 20, 1869, and has since 
resided in Benona and Sliel- 
by. In 1883 he liad the posi- 
tion of Assistant Postmaster, 
in 1887 was Clerk of Benona 
township and in 1888 was 
Clerk of Shelby township. 
May 11, 1885, he married 
Miss Emma Boughner, and 
their union has been blessed 
with one child, a son. Mr. 
Meyers is now connected with 
Messrs. I. E. Ilgenfritz and 
Sons as their agent for the 
sale of fruit trees and other 
nursery stock in this county. 
He has been a success in the 
business because of his push 
and energy. He is widely and 
favorably known and has 

many friends. He is a leading member of Shelby I^odge No. 341, I. 
O. 0. F., having just finished a term of office as Secretary and com- 
menced a term as Vice Grand of that lodge. 




F. M. ISIEYERS. 



BENJAMIN F. ARCHER— 1869. 




Benjamin F. Archer was 
born at Jamestown, Indiana. 
His parents were Beniamin 
and Sophronia Archer. When 
three years old he came with 
his parents to Branch Co., 
Mich., and lived there until 
1861, assisting his father in 
clearing a farm summers and 
attending district school win- 
ters. Being in a new country 
and with limited means, his 
chances for an education were 
not good. On April 9, 1861, 
in response to his country's 
call, he enlisted in Co. C, 1st 
Mich. Inf. as i^rivate and 
served three months, the 



332 



OCEANA COUNTY PIONEERS 



time for which he enlisted. Discharged in Aug., 1861, returned 
home. The following February, his father, then 57 years of age, 
enlisted in Co. A, 15th Mich. Inf. and was killed at the battle of 
Shiloh. In July, 1862, the subject of our sketch again enlisted, this 
tmie in Co. G, 4th INIich. Cav., for three years, as a private. He 
served the full time, being in 25 hard fought battles besides many 
skirmishes, having two horses killed under him, but being fortunate 
enough to escape without a scratch. He was dischai'ged as Com- 
missary Sergeant, July 8, 1865. It was his regiment that captured 
Jeff. Davis. Nov. 1,1866, he was married to Miss Eunice J. Barber, 
of Quincy, Mich. They have had nine children, seven sons and two 
daughters. On Feb. 4, 1869, with all of his effects in one wagon, 
consisting of some bedding, a few dishes, and three months' provis- 
ions, he started for Oceana Co. arriving here on the eleventh of the 
same month. He first settled on Sec. 36, Ferry township, where he 
has cleared up a farm of fifty acres which he still owns and man- 
ages. That section was then covered with a very heavy growth of 
beech and maple timber. The farn:i is now well fenced, with good 
orchard and buildings. In 1886 he moved to Ferry village and en- 
gaged in the hardware business, being the first and only hardware 
in Ferry, which business he still follows. In 1887 he opened a tin 
shoiD in connection and manufactures nearly all the tin handled in 
the shop. His oldest son, Charles B., runs that part and is now 
one of the best tinners in the county. Mr. Archer has taught two 
successful terms of school. Has been Supervisor, Treasurer and 
Justice of the Peace in his township, and Notary Public. In 1887, 
was appointed Postmaster at Ferry. 

MRS. EUNICE J. ARCHER. 

Mrs. Eunice J. Archer was 
born in Branch Co., March 17, 
1850. Her parents' names were 
Alson and Phebe Barber. Mrs. 
Archer was the youngest of nine 
children. Her mother died when 
she was but seven years of age, 
leaving the family much broken 
up. When nine years old she 
left home to live wdth an uncle 
with whom she lived two and a 
half years, then going back to 
keep house for her father, the 
older children being grown up 
and scattered. Five of her 
brothers responded to the call 
for troops and went into the 
army. After about another 
year and 'a half she left home 




AND BUSINESS MEN OP TO-DAY. 



333 



and worked by the week in different places until the fall of 1866, 
when she met and married Mr. Archer. Since then the years have 
been sj^ent in a wife's work and a mother's duty. For two years 
she owned a millinery shop, but her health failing she was compell- 
ed to sell out. She then went to Ann Arbor for treatment, spend- 
ing four weeks there and having two operations performed. Since 
then her health has been slowly improving. She has suffered much 
from ill health, but has borne her sufferings with fortitude. 



JAMES A. AVEYANT— 1869. 

James A. Weyant was born Jan. 13, 1843, in Brutus, Cayuga Co. 
N. Y. His father, George Weyant, was born March 28, 1808, in Or- 
ange Co., N. Y. Moved to Cayuga Co. in 1834, where he purchased 

a farm of 100 acres. In May 
of the same year he married 
Amanda Mapes and they liv- 
ed upon the same farm, where 
James A. Was born, over fif- 
ty years. The subject of our 
sketch was named after his 
grandfather, James Weyant, 
Avho was a Quartermaster in 
the U. S. army in the war of 
1812, and lived to be over 80 
years of age. James A. spent 
his early days on his father's 
farm attending district school 
until sixteen years of age 
Avhen he went to an academy 
for two years. At this time 
the war broke out and he en- 
listed in the fall of '61, in the 
19th N. Y. Inf., which afterwards became the 3rd N. Y. Light Art., 
and served in the campaign in Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina 
and South Carolina, participating in several sharp engagements. 
Received an honorable discharge at the expiration of his term, June 
2, 1863. With health injured from exposure, and especially by the 
malaria of the swamps of North Carolina, being quartered in and 
about Newberne, N. C, for nearly a year, he returned to his home 
and remained with his father off and on until Jan. 1, 1S67, when he 
was married to Miss Phebe V. Green, of Highland Mills, Orange Co., 
N. Y. In Dec, 1860, he came to Oceana Co., living in Weare until 
fall of '70, when he moved into Elbridge. Taught school in Hart 
township m 71-2, and in Elbridge in '72-3. In '72 he purchased 80 




J. A. WEYANT. 



334 



OCEANA COUNTY PIONEERS 



acies of land on Sec. 24, Hart, where he now resides. Mr. Weyant 
was converted in early life uniting with the M. E. Church at Hart 
June 19, '70. In '74 he received a license and began to preach the 
gospel, preaching in Elbridge, Crystal, Leavitt, Colfax, Ferry and 
other localities until Sept., '76, when he was appointed pastor at 
Freesoil, Mason Co., where he remained one year. He was at Cad- 
illac '77-H, Fyfe Lake '79, Spencer Creek '80-1, Bear Lake '82-3, 
Milbrook '84, Browne '8.5, Danley '86-7, Coral, '88, Saranac 89. 
In '78 he was ordained a Deacon and in '82 an Elder. He^jreached 
thirteen successive years, receiving during the time about three hun- 
dred niembei's besides other tokens of acceptable work. Sept. '89, 
his health failing he returned to his home in Hart township, suffer- 
ing from throat difficulties Mr. Weyant has three children, two 
sons and one daughter; Fred N., now a junior in Albion College, 
James E., residing at home, and Sarah A., also at home. Having 
shared somewhat largely the cares and hardships of pioneer life 
conserves to make him a friend to those struggling in new localities. 



CHARLES R. JOHNSON~1870. 

Charles R.Johnson is the eldest of four children, two boys and 

two girls, born to David and 
Lydia E. Johnson. He was 
born at Hastings, Mich., June 
2, 1862. Moved with his par- 
ents to Olivet, Eaton Co., 
Mich., where he lived until 
eight j^ears of age, when they 
moved to Hart, Mich., this 
occurring in 1870. His fath- 
er engaged in the hardware 
business. He attended the 
high school at Hart and took 
a two years course in the Ag- 
ricultural College at Lansing. 
In 1888, April 14th, he enter- 
ed the Hon. W. E. Ambler's 
law office as a student, and 
was admitted to practice in 
1887. He remained with Mr. 
Amliler until Jan., 18S9. Nov. 1, 1889, he purchased the insui'- 
ance business of J. W. Loomis, was also appointed express agent 
and is now engaged in the practice of the law, and managing the in- 
surance and express business. In Jan., 1890, he married Miss Jen- 
nie Lewis, a daughter of one of Pentwater's first settlers, Mrs. I. N. 
Lewis. 




ry/i!i::'W:-:''>:: 



7. 



C. R. JOHNSON. 



AXD BUSINESS MEN OF TO-DAY. 



335 



OLA UK B. 

Clark B. Genung, of Golden, 
ben Co., N. Y., March 20, '48. 
His parents' names were N. 
E. and Sophia Gennng. He 
came to Michigan in 1869, 
and Dec. 18, 1870, to Oceana 
Co. March 18, 1H68 he was, 
married to Emma V.EoIsom, 
who died Oct. 10, 1^79, leav- 
ing three children, one daugh- 
ter and two sons. Nov. 9, 
1880, ]\Ir. Genung married 
Jennie L. Baker, who was 
born in Erie Co., N. Y., Feb. 
13, 1861, and the daughter of 
M. C. Baker, a pioneer of the 
Co. One son and one daugh- 
ter have been born to them. 

INIr. Genung is a hard-work- 
ing, enterprising and energetic 
man. Since locating in tlvs 



GENUNG— 1870. 

Oceana Co., Mich., was born in Steu- 





r. B. GENUNG. 

county he has been engaged in 
lumbering and farming. He 
owns a tine, well improved farm 
located next to the village of 
Mears. When he moved upon 
the place there was not a house 
in sight. He has an orchard of 
1,.300 fruit trees growing, and in 
1890 sets 500 more. The 
popular breed of Poland China 
swine was first introduced into 
Golden by him, and it is an open 
question if he was not the first 
to bring pure bloods of this 
breed into the county. He has 
held the following official posi- 
tions in his township, viz.: Treas- 
urer two years; Supervisor three 
years, and Justice of the Peace 
four years. 



MRS. C. B. GENUNG 



iffcfi' 



336 



OCEANA COUNTY PIONEERS 



MARTIN S. PERKINS— 1870. 

Martin S. Perkins was born in East Penfield, now Webster, Mon- 
roe Co., N. Y., Nov. 15, 1832. He lived m that county until Sept. 
1841, when with his parents he moved to Coldwater, Branch Co., 
Mich. As a boy M. S. was of a combative disposition, until July, 

1848, when he met a lad from 
Ohio, by the name of Smith. Af- 
ter they had been together a few 
minutes Martin's father came 
along and assisted him home. 
His mother thought algood deal 
of him and plastered him up so 
that he was able to attend 
school the next winter. He re- 
.v.^ membered the event distinctly 
""■ ' until about the j^ear 1883, when 
he met another fellow by the 
name of Kilbeck. He weighed 
only 210 lbs. After this meeting 
H.C. Flagg led him home andlie 
has since been a quiet 'citizen. 

Aug. 1(), 1852, he married Ma- 
ria J. Tibbits, who was born in 
Ihe town of Plymouth, Wayne 




M. S. PKRKIXS. 



Co. Mich., on the 2nd day of 
Nov., 1832. Six children have 
been born to them,foui'or whom 
are still living. They also re- 
joice in having thirteen grand- 
children. They lived in South- 
ern Michigan until 1868, when 
they moved to Mason Co. and 
built a mill at Bass Lake. Liv- 
ed there two years and tlien 
moved to Pentwater where they 
have since resided. Since living 
m Pentwater ISIr. Perkins has 
worked for Moulton & Flagg two 
years. Underbill one year, run 




MRS. M. S. PERKINS. 



the ferry two years, was in the livery business two years, and now 
runs the 'bus, carries mail, handles baggage, etc., and insists that 
he is still young and happy. He has been a republican in politics 
since the birth of the party, and has held many local offices 
conferred by the same. During the war he enlisted in Co. M, 11th 



AND BUSIKESS MEN OF TO-DAV. 



337 



Mich. Cavalry at the formation of the regiment. Was prom )ted to 
2nd Lieut. Feb 1, 1864, and again iDromoted to 1st Lieut on the 
14th daj' of November, the same year, and resigned the 24:th day 
of June, 1865, at the consolidation of the 11th with the 8th regi- 
ment. 

L. E. JOHNSON — 1870. 

Louis E. Johnson was born in Barry Co.. ^licli., June 17, 1863, 
and IS the second son of David and Lydia E. Johnson. His father 
will be long remembered in this county as one of its most effii'ient 
Judges of Probate. The subject of our sketch came to this county 
with his parents in July, 1870, and has resided here since. On Nov. 
13, 1887, he married Miss Minnie L. Tilden. He held the position 
of Deputy Co. Clerk in 1887. His 
trade is that of a tinner, having 
spent a number of years in learn- 
ing it and in clerking in a hard- 
ware store thus fitting himself for 
his i^resent business. Nov. 2U, 
1889, he opened a hardwai-e 
store at Walkeiville where he 
still remains. It is liisintention 
to always be on deck with a full 
line of heavy and shelf hardware, 
windows, sash, doors and blinds, 
glass, putty, oils, paints, etc., 
plows, harrows, mowers, reap- 
ers and binders and all kinds of 
agricultural implements, wag- 
ons, sleighs and cutters will be 
furnished of any make desired. 
A complete line of parlor and 
heating stoves always in stock. 

He will make a specialty of tin and sheet iron work, er. \e troughs 
and general repairing. So far as style and quality of work and 
goods, prices, and in fact reasonable satisfaction are concerned he 
guarantees them. By strict attention to business, prompt dispatch 
of any work entrusted to him and one price to all he hopes to merit 
and receive the patronage of the residents in his vicinity. He ex- 
tends a general invitation to all to call. 




L. E. JOHNSON. 



WILLIAM J. TENNANT — 1869. 

William James Tennant, the subject of this sketch, was born in 
the city of Glasgow, Scotland, on the 5th dny of Feb., 1839. Hig 



338 



OCEANA COUNTY PIONEERS 



parents were William and Rachel Tennant. He resided there until 
the month of Feb., 1848, when he emigrated, with his parents, to 
America. Was married Sept. 12, 1858, to Jane Covenej', oldest 
daughter of Joseph Coveney, of Buchanan, Berrien County, Mich. 
Came to Oceana Co. with his family on the 10th day of May, 1869, 
and settled in the township of Elbrid^e, where he now resides, it be- 
ing then an almost unbroken wilderness. As a public servant he 
has held the office of Justice 12 years, Township Clerk one year. 
Supervisor three years. One year while Supervisor was cliosen 
Chairman of the Board of Supervisors. In all of these offices has 
discharged his duties with a clear record. He has raised a family 
of seven children, three boys and four girls. Four of his children 
have been successful teachers in the public schools of tlie county. 
His son William, twenty-four years of age, was killed by the falling 
of a windmill tower at Mears on July 13, 1883. The rest of his 
children are living at this time. Sixteen years of his hfe were spent 
at carpenter and joiner work, and twelve years trying to clear up a 
farm. Seven years ago he commenced the business of putting down 
tubular wells and erecting windmills, at which he is engaged at the 
present time, having made a successful record. His work may be 
found all over this county, and part of Mason and Newaygo coun- 
ties, and parties in need of that kind of work need never be afraid 
to employ him for they will be sure to get a good job. 



EZEKIEL, J. SHIRTS— 1871. 

Ezekiel J. Shirts was born at New Lisbon, Columbia Co., Ohio, 
Marfh 1 o, 1825. His parents were Samuel and Eliza Shirts. He 
moved io Indiana in 1845, but returned in 1847. In 1853 he en- 

g.aged in the grocery business 
which he continued for three 
years; then worked at his trade 
carpenter and jonier. In 1864 
he located at Lansing, Mich, en- 
gaging in the mercantile busi- 
ness there until 1871, when he 
moved his stock to Shelby. He 
built the first store building on 
the village plat, putting in the 
first stock of goods. At that 
time only three families re- 
sided on the ijlat. He had to 
pay the freight upon his goods 
at Whitehall, there being no de- 
pot or agent at Shelby until la- 
ter. He has since made Shelby 




AND BUSINESS MEN OF TO-DAY. 



339 



his home and is now engaged in buying wool, fruit, etc., for ship- 
ment. Mr. Shirts was Deputy Sheriff si.x years in Ohio and Ind. 
and has held the same position four years in this county. Married 
July 10, 1852, Miss Elizabeth Imhoff, who was born Jan. 2G, 1835, 
in Wayne Co., Ohio. They have had four children, three sons and 
one daughter. Mr. Shirts had four brothers in the army and was 
himself active in recruiting, now holding three certificates as Cap- 
tarn. He has held the appointment of Notary Piil)lic for twenty- 
five years. 

ALBERT G. AVERY— 1871. 

Albert G. Avery was born at Poquitaniick, Conn., Feb. 2, '43. 
His parents were Erastus and Caroline Avei-y. lii the fall of 1869 
he went to work for C. Mears 
at Lincoln, Mason Co., and 
continued in his employ at 
different points for nearly six 
years. He has lived in vari- 
ous places in this county. 
Pent water, Mears and Hes- 
j)eria. Also resided for a time 
at Whitehall. He came to 
this county in the spring of '71 
and in '81 located at Shelby, 
engaging in the gen'l merchan- j*^ 
dise business which he has 'Iv 
since followed successfully, ^ 
being able at this time to dis- 
count all purchases. In reli- 
gion Mr. Avery is a INIetho- 
dist, but in belief holds the 
doctrine of the universal sal- 
vation of the whole human 

race. In politics he was raised and lived a republican for years, 
but now holds the opinions of a reformei-. He married at Pent- 
water, Dec. 25, 1871, Loranda T. Hills. As a business man he is 
exact and prompt. As a gentleman the peer of any, and as a citi- 
zen pul)lic-spirited and open-handed. 




-. j.yy/ji/iyf/ee 

A. G. AVKRY. 



LEWIS L. TAYLOR— 1871. 

Lewis L. Taylor was born at Otego, Otsego Co., N. Y., Apiil 8, 
1829, his parents being John C. and Mercy Taylor. He remained 
on the farm with his parents at his birthplace until six years of age 
when tliey moved to Erie Co., Pa. Here he remained with his par- 



340 



OCEANA COUNTY PIONEERS 




L,. L. TAYLOR. 



ents until the ageof seventeen years, when he branched out for him- 
self, going to Clarion County and commencing work in the lumber 
■woods. He remained at that work for about six years and then 
went into the square timber business in Warren County, which he 
continued tor four years. Working at different things in different 
places for a short time, he then became a pilot upon the Tionesta 
Creek, piloting lumber and logs. He continued at this employment 
for about twelve years, then going from one business to another 
until 1871, when he came to Oceana Co., locating on Sec. 7, Leavitt, 
and has since been engaged in farming. He now has one of the best 
farms in the county, consisting of 240 acres, 200 acres improved, 
■with a large and commodious house, two large barns, with various 
outbuildings. Mr. Taylor married Aug. 28, '57, Miss Emilj- J. Red- 
dington, by whom he had two children, Frank W., who was injured 
in the woods Jan. 23 and died Feb. 1, 1884, and Mercy A., who is 
now the wife of Raymond Ross, living on Sec. 12, Elbridge. His 
wife died March 31, 18<32, and he was again married Sej)t. 10, '69. 



AND BL'SIN'ESS MEN OF T(J-DAY. 



34:1 




MRS. L. L. TAYLOR. 



His second wife was ]Mi>. liUcy A. Po!T (Ha!!) and they have had 
four children, 'Emily J., Lenor;i V., C'l arlts L. and Fiank W., all of 
whom are living at home. Mrs. Lucy A. Taylor was born in Erie 
Co., Pa., Jan. 5, 1845. She lived upon a farm with her parents un- 
til she was mai-ried in 1865 to Daniel W. PofT, by whom she has 
one child, Daniel W., now living in Ptrry Co., Miss. Her tlrst hus- 
band died in Oct., 1868. Mrs. Taylor has always been a careful, 
frugal housewife, and has fully done her share in a'jcumulating what 
they now possess. Mr. Taylor has always been a pushing man. 
■what might be termed a "hustler." He has irade several small for- 
tunes during his life and now possesses sufficient to keep him the 
balance of his days in comfort. He has held the office of .histice 
and was for three years Superintendent of the Poor I'oi- Oceana Co. 
He has never sought pul)lic office, but when holding any has dis- 
charged its duties fearlessly. 

THEODORE p. I AVDOX— 1S71. 

Theodore P. Landon, now a resident of Ftuy, was born in Con- 
neat township, Crawford Co., Pa., Au ■. 9, 1-39. His pai'ents wei'e 



842 



OCEANA COUNTY PIONEERS 



Daniel and Nancy Landon. Another son of this same couple was 
Daniel Landon, who died while filling the office of Judge of Probate 
of this county in 1887. Mr, Landon enlisted as a private in Co. J, 
2nd Pa. Cav., in which he served fifteen months. In 1871 he came 
to Oceana Co. He has been Justice of the Peace eight years and 
township Clerk two years, of Ferry township. By trade he is a car- 
penter and joiner but his present business is Notary Public, real es- 
tate agent and clerk in store. Mr. Landon possesses manj' friends 
and acquaintances and is a man who is universally esteemed. He 
is a prominent member of the G. A. R. and has been honored with 
different offices in that organization and been offered more that he 
would not accept. 

SAMUEL D. POSTER — 1871. 

Samuel D. Foster, farmer and fruit grower in Benona township, 
first saw the light of day in the town of Greece, Monroe Co., N. Y., 
May 23, 1850. His parents' names were Ozias and Josephine. He 
actiuired a good common school education and adopted farming as 
his occupation. He came to Oceana Co. in 1871 with C. A. Ses- 
sions. He married Lettie J. Easton, who has borne to him five 
children, four sons and one daughter. He has a fine fruit farm lo- 
cated on sections five and eight, being in all 160 acres, wherehe now 
lives. He has 1,850 trees growing, 1,500 peach and the rest apple, 
plum and cherry. In the spring of 1890 he set 1,100 more trees. 
Of the 120 acre farm he has 90 acres improved and 1\^ of the 40 
acres. Mr. Foster is a clever calculator, energetic and pushing. He 
has made a success of his business although still a young man. 



EBENEZER B. 




CLARK— 18G3. 

Ebenezer B. Clark was 
born in Lower Canada, near 
Montreal, m '31, March 9th. 
He comes of Welsh and Irish 
stock. He acquired a good 
education. In 1861 he came 
to White River, and in 1863 
he moved to Pentwater and 
started the first ijhotograph 
gallery in the county. Many 
of the daguerreotypes taken 
by Mr. Clark are still to be 
found in the homes of the old 
pioneers. In 1867 he was 
elected Justice of the Peace 
and has seen twenty-two 
years continuous service in 
that office. He has also been 



AND BUSINESS MKN OF TO-DAY 



343 



Township Clerk several times, and Village Assessor. He is a gentle- 
man of engaging appearance and is quite popular with the people. 
He is public-spirited and always lends a helping hand in developing 
the interests of Pentwater and vicinity. He has three sons who 
are living. 

DEWITT C. WICKHAM— 1872. 

DeWitt C. Wickhani is the name of one who from one end of the Co. 
to the other is popularly known as "Geo." Wickham. He was born 
Dec. 7, 1H43, at Yates, Orleans Co., N. Y., to Samuel K. and Lucy 
A. Wickham. He received a good common school education and 
was preparing himself for one of the professions when the war broke 
out and uj)on call for volun- 
teers he enlisted in the army, 
serving three years in the 
129th Inf. and 8th N. Y. Art. 
He enlisted as a private and 
came out as 1st Lieut, of Co. 
A, of the latter regiment. In 
1872, Oct 22, he came to 
Pentwater. Has been Supt 
of U. S. Gov. Works since '74 
In 1886 he was elected Regis- k-; 
ter of Deeds for Oceana Co ,t 
and in 1888 re-elected by a . 
largely inci'eased majoritj 
He has held the office of Trus 
tee of the village of Pentwatt i 
six years, and been a membt i 
of the School Board for six 
years. In politics he is a re- 
IDublicanof thestalwart kind. 

Has an oi^inion upon political issues and is ready at all times to 
give it. He is a forcible and eloc[uent speaker, and his services up- 
on the platform are in frequent demand. Dec. H, lb73, he married 
Addie M. Connell, who has been to him a faithful, loving wife. The 
union has been blessed with four children, two of whom, one daugh- 
ter and a son are living. JMr. Wickham has left the impress of his 
character and work upon the locality, nearly every public improve- 
ment haxing received his support and active services. 




D. C. WICKHAM. 



PETER HANSEN— 1872. 

Peter Hansen was born in Denmark, May 26, 1837. He is a son 
of Hans and Anna Marie Peterson. He came to Oceana Co. in '72, 



344 



OCEANA COUNTY PIONEERS 




P. HANSEN. 

comprises 173 acres, 55 acres 
cleared. There is also an or- 
chard of two acres containing 
various kinds of fruit trees. 
They have a one-story frame- 
house, a frame barn 50x50 
feet, and a granary 20x30 
feet, besides other buildings. 
Mr. Hansen is considered as 
one of the substantial farm- 
ers of his section, and both 
he and. his estimable wife are 
highly respected. 



and in the following year com- 
menced farming on section 7 
of Weare township. Previ- 
ous to that time he had been 
a laborer. He has held the 
oftice of Justice of the Peace 
in Weare and takes a strong 
interest in the schools of his 
township. Oct. 25, 1863, he 
married Anna Christine Nel- 
son, who was born in Den- 
mark March 23, 183S. She 
is a daughter of Nels and. 
Anna Marie Mortensen. She 
has been a dressmaker. They 
have two children, a son and 
a daughter. Their farm on 
section seven, Weare, is in a 
fine state of cultivation and 




■"^^ 



/^f'"' 



MRS. P. HANSEN. 



LOUIS M. HARTWICK— 1872. 

Louis M. Hartwick is the son of William M. and Mary L. Hart- 
wick. He was born at Mishawaka, Ind., Feb. 14, 1848, and lived 
there until eleven years of age, when he accompanied his parents to 
Kansas, then a new State and the scene of many^a bloody struggle 



AND BUSINESS MEN OF TO-UAY. 



345 




L. M. HARTWICK. 



between the contending factions of pro-slavery and free-state men. 
He came to Micliigan in 1860 and settled in Pent water, Oceana Co. 
in January, 1872. He acquired Lis education in the Mishawaka 
Higli Schools, Hillsdale College, and the Michigan University. He 
graduated from the law department of that institution March 30, 
1870, the youngest member of his class. March 16, 1870, upon ex- 
amination in open Court, conducted by Judge Joslin, Judge Beakes 
and Robert Fraser, he was granted a certificate of admission to the 
Washtenaw County Bar._ H« practiced law in Jonesville, Mich., 
two years, then removed to Pentwater where he has since resided. 
Politically he is a republican, having never voted any other tick- 
et. He has held the following otlicial iDositions in Oceana Co., viz.: 
Justice four years, U. S.Dep.Coll. of Customs five years, Village Re- 
corder one year, Village Attorney seven years, Village President one 
year, County Supt. of the Poor two years. Circuit Court Commis- 
sioner two years, Prosecuting Attoiney three j-ears. Mar. 1, 1880, 
he purchased and has since conducted the publication of the Pent- 
water News. Dec. 17, 1871, he married Alice A. Tuiler, of Jones- 
ville, which union has been blessed with three children now living: 
Louis W., Royal T., and Lilian M. He has one brother, H. D. 
Hartwick, a resident of Weare, and two sisters, ]Mrs. S. Andrus, of 



346 



OCEANA COUNTY PIONEERS 



Hart, and Mrs. Rose Hart wick Thorpe, of San Diego, California, 
now living. 

GEORGE WYCKOFF— 1872. 

George Wyckoff, of Golden, Michigan, is a native of Ohio, the son 
of Jacob and Hannah Wyckoff. He was born in Geauga Co., Dec. 
3, 1832. He acquired a good common school education. For 
many years he engaged in lumbering and land looking. It was the 



=5^ 




G. WYCKOFF. 



latter occupation that bro't 
him to Oceana County in Ju- 
ly, 1872. He owns a fine 
farm, picturesquely located 
upon the beautiful little lake 
known as Round Lake. He 
is of a jovial disposition and 
enjoys life as he goes along. 
Aug. 23, 1856, he mai*ried 
Sarah H. Tice, who still con- 
tinues his loving and faithful 
helpmeet. Two children have 
been born to them, both sons 
now grown to manhood. 
Since locating in Oceana Co. 
his business has been farming 
in which he has been very suc- 
cessful. He has been Super- 
visor of his township four 
years and Treasurer of Oce- 
ana County four years. 



GEORGE W. WOODWARD— 1872. 

George \V. Woodward was born in Ellerj^ Chautauqua Co.,N. Y., 
Feb. 3 7, 1825. His parents were i)aniel and Margaret Woodward. 
He came to Michigan in 1843 and in 1845 moved to Ottawa Coun- 
ty where he remained until 1872, \\ hen he came to Oceana Co. and 
located at Shelby. In 1845 he was married to Roana Nowlen who 
died soon afterwards, and in February, 1852 he married Martha 
Bullen, his present wife. He now has three children living, one son 
and two daughters. His daughter Ida has long been known in the 
county as an earnest and effective temperance worker. In 1861 
Mr. Woodward enlisted as a private and served his country as one 
of her bravest soldiers for nearly four years. He was promoted 
from the ranks to Sergeant, Second Lieutenant, First Lieutenant, 
Captain and Major, each time for meritorious conduct on the field 
of battle. He is now a prominent member of the G. A. R. and 



AND BUSINESS MEN OF TO-DAY. 



347 



has held the office of Coni- 
jnander of Shields Post. In 
civil life he has been honored 
with numerous offices, having 
been elected and held in Ot- 
tawa, Kent and Oceana Coun- 
ties the following offices: 
Treasurer of Ottawa Co. one 
term; Supervisor, 11 terms: 
School Inspector, one term; 
Justice, three terms; Town- 
ship Clerk, one term; Post- 
raaster,thi'ee timesin as many 
places; Deputy Sheriff and 
jailer three years; Township 
Treasurer three terms; High- 
waj' Com'r, one term; Village 
Assessor one term; Village 
Trustee, one term; and has 

held appointments as Notary Public nearly all the time for 
years. He now holds four of the above offices. 




G. W. WOODWARD. 



forty 



JOSIAH CLEVELAND. 

Josiah Cleveland, son of Jedediah and Phebe A. Cleveland, was 

born in Randolijh, Cattarau- 
gus Co., N. Y., Feb. 15, 1840. 
He came with his parents to 
Lenawee Co., Michigan, when 
quite young, and lived in this 
State until he was of age. He 
then went to Fullerton Co., 
O., where he carried on busi- 
ness for two years, then re- 
turning to this State and has 
resided here nearly all of the 
time since. In Jan., 1872, he 
came to this county and was 
for a long time engaged in the 
blacksmith and wagon-mak- 
ing business at Pent water. 
In April, 1880, he started the 
same business at his farm on 
section 32 of Crystal town- 
j. CLEVELAND. ship whei'e he is doing a fair 




348 



OCEANA COUNTY PIONEERS 



business. Mr. Cleveland has been identified with the Odd Fellows' 
Lodge at Crystal Valley since its organization, and is an active, en- 
thusiastic member. He married July 4, 1863, Margaret M. Lepper 
and they have one son and an adopted daughter. 



TIMOTHY T. JONES— 1872. 

Timothy T. Jones, Supervisor of Crystal townshij), was born in 
Portage Co., Ohio, in the year 1841. His parents were John and 
Margaret Jones. At the very commencement of the civil war he en- 
listed in Co. B, of the old 4th Mich. Inf., and served for four years, 

one month and six days. He 
was at the first battle of Bull 
Run and at the surrender of 
Gen. Lee. He was present for 
duty every day except when 
home on a furlough. This is 
a record of service that few 
can show. In the fall of '72 
he came to this county and 
engaged in farming in Crystal. 
He is a prominent G. A. R. 
man, being a Past Command- 
er of the Crystal Valley Post. 
He has always taken a great 
interest in public affairs and 
his suggestions in his town- 
ship are usually followed. He 
has been Justice of the Peace 
ten years. Elected Coronor 
of the county but failed to 
qualify. He was elected Supervisor in 1878 and again in 1885-6-7- 
8-9. Married Miss Rowena Aldrich and has had six sons. 




T. T. JONES. 



EGBERT N. BRIQGS. 

At Rochester, N. Y., July 1, 1844, Caleb C. and Hattie Briggs re- 
joiced over the birth of a son, the subject of our sketch. Of his ear- 
ly life but few events out of the usual channel occurred. He enjoyed 
about the same privileges as other children and improved them as 
other children of his time. He possessed a sunny disposition and 
was ever popular with his companions. He removed from Jackson 
County, Michigan, to Oceana County in 1872, and has since resided 
here. Dui-ing the war he enlisted in Co. A, 9th Michigan Cavalry 



AXD BUSINESS MEN OF TO-DAY, 



349 



and served two years, seven 
months and oneday, andwas 
honorably discharged. Since 
comin? to Oceana County he 
has been engaged in lumber- 
ing and farming at Crystal, 
and later running a dray line 
at Pentwater. He married 
Miss Emma Willets, a daugh- 
ter of one of Crystal's pio- 
neers, and one son still living 
has blessed the union. He is 
a member of the order of Odd 
Fellows and has held offices 
in that organization. He is 
also an enthusiastic member 
of the G. A. R. and with his 
amiable wife contributes 
largely to the social enjoy- 
ments of both orders. 




E. N. BRIGGS. 



THOMAS MORIX— 1872. 

Thomas Morin, mason and plasterer, of Pentwater, Mich., remov- 
ed to Oceana Co., Nov. 26, 
1872, and has made Pentwa- 
ter his home since. He is a 
native of Quebec, Canada, 
having been born to Isaac 
and Martha Morin, June 6, 
1852. He left Canada when 
but eleven years of age, went 
to Providence, R. I., and 
drifted about from one place 
to another until in 1870 he 
..settled in Detroit. He resided 
there two years then came to 
Pentwater. He was first em- 
ployed as a lumber sorter 
^ and afterwards apprenticed 
himself to P. Sheridan and 
learned the mason's trade, 
which occupation he has since 
T. MORIX. followed, most of the build- 

ings of Pentwater erected within the past ten years showing his skill 




350 



OCEAXA COUNTY PIONEERS 



as mechanic. Nov. 26, 1874, he married Eunice S. Hill, of Pentwa- 
ter, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Orin Hill. He is an enthusiastic mem- 
ber of the order of Odd Fellows and has passed most of the chairs 
in each branch of the order. In the spring election of LbOO he was 
elected Villac;e Trustee. 



JOHN H. BOUTON— 1872. 

John H. Bouton, the subject of our sketch, was born Jan. 24, 
1848, at Rensselaerville, Albany Co., N. Y. His parents were Har- 
ry and Betsey E. Bouton. He resided with his i^arents until twen- 
ty years of age, at which time his father died. He remained in New 
York State, living at various places until 1872, when he came to 
Oceana Co., locating at Pentwater where he has since resided. He 

secured a ]position as clerk in 
a dry goods store where he 
continued for about four 
years. Afterwards clerked 
for the Pentwater Lumber 
Co. three yeai's, and was enr 
gaged in the same capacity 
for different tirms and in car- 
j)enter work until 1884 when 
he became shippinti clerk in 
the Furniture Factory where 
he still continues. As an em- 
jploye he has always given 
satisfaction. Mr. Bouton has 
alwaj^s taken a lively interest 
in public affairs and has been 
entrusted with a number of 
township offices, among them 
being Constable and Treas- 
urer three terms and has been 
ten years a member of the republican Township Committee. Under 
the village governniiut he has been Mar.-jhal, Trustee and Treasur- 
er, the latter two terms. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity 
and has held the office of Secretary in Oceana Chapter No. 56 for 
thirteen years, Secretary of Oceana Council No. 27 for twelve years 
and Secretary of Oceana Lodge No. 200 two years. He is also an 
active member of Pentwater Lodge No. 378, J. 0. O. F., and for 
fourteen years an active member of the Pentwater Fire Depart- 
ment. Married Sept. 2, 1875, to Miss Cynthia S. Tuller, and they 
now have thi^ee children: Raymond T., born Aug. 11, 1876; Flor- 
ence A., born June 14, 1882; Gertrude S., born April 27, 1884. 




AND BUSINESS MEN OF TO-DAY, 



351 



FRANCIS \V. FINCHER— 1872. 

Francis W. Fincher entered upon this world's stage at Hudson, 
Lenawee Co., Mich., May 1, 1855. When but a child he went with 
his parents to Hve on a farm in New York State. Receiving there 
a limited education at the district school, with his tamily he came 
to Pentwater in April, 1S72. Arriving at Montague they waited 
three days for the railroad to be repaired, and finally, after a very 
rough ride in a freight car from that place, reached Pentwater April 
12th, about midnight. His first summer here was spent in a shin- 
gle mill. The following winter .,^_ 
he attended the high school, at 
the close of which he entered the 
Oceana Co. Bank where he re- 
mained a few months and then 
entered the drug store of Page & 
Jesson as clerk. Hereheremain- 
ed until the fall of 1875, when 
he went to Chicago, attending 
during the winter of ls75-6 a 
course of lectures at the Chicago 
College of Pharmacy. The sum- 
mer of 1876 was spent at Mus- 
kegon, clerking in a drug store. 
The following spring Mr. H. F. 
Hastings having purchased the 
stock of drugs from Page <k. Jes- 
son, he took charge of the store 
until the fall of 1877, when in 
company with A. W. Newark 
he purchased the business and 

continued the same until September, 1880, when 'Mr. Newark retir- 
ed. The drug business which Mr. Fincher now conducts is the old- 
est established house of its kind in Oceana Co., having been started 
by Mr. James G. Gray in 1866. He was married Feb. 20, 1884, to 
Miss Ida M. Whittington, of Pentwater. Although a young man, 
by personal attention, integrity and uprightness in all his dealings, 
Mr. Fincher stands tod;ij- among the substantial business men of 
the countv. 




F. W. FINCHER. 



< 



CHARLES A. HAWLEY— 1872. 

Charles Andross Hawiey, fruit grower, Shelby, was born in Bridge- 
port, Vt., May 22, 1831. He was the oldest of six children. His 
mother died when he was but twelve years of age. The fivechildren 
died one after another until his oldest brother, Samuel F., and the 



352 



OCEANA COUNTY PIONEERS 




last except himself, died April 20, 1876, aged 44 years and five 
months. While a lad of eleven he engaged himself with his father's 
consent to a farmer and lived with him three years working for his 
board, clothes and three months' schooling each year. At the age 
of fourteen years he hired out to the same man for $4 i^er month, 
worked summers and attended school winters until seventeen years 
of age. Then engaged himself to another farmer until 21 years of 
age for $100, board, clothing and three months' schooling each 

year. Lived with him four 
years and received the school- | 
ing and clothing, but not the j 
$100. He continued working 1- 
for farmers until March 21, 
1855, when he married Miss 
Electa Edwards Weaver, a 
very intelligent, Christian 
young lady, highly esteemed 
as a successful teacher and 
worker. They have three 
sons living, Samuel F., Ed- 
ward Wm. and Joseph. Mr. 
Hawley is a self-made man. 
He first started for himself 
by purchasing a farm, paying 
a XDortion down, and then be- 
cause of the extreme hard 
times of 1857 was obliged to 
surrender it. He then worked 
in a lumber yard in Chicago, 
first as laborer, then as clerk, lumber insj^ector, and finally dealer 
in hardwood lumber, when the great fire of 1871 came and swept 
away his lumber yards and employment, although his home in Park 
Ridge escaped. Sept. 28, 1872, he came to Shelby, made a contract 
with Malcolm & Williams to saw two million feet of hardwood logs, 
and during the winter advanced them $2,000 with which to build a 
mill. Aug. 27, 1873, he and Joseph Clark bought three-fourths' 
interest in the mill, and in December the other fourth. Afterwards 
he bought Mr. Clark's interest. After various unfortunate experi- 
ences with the mill and his former associates, April 16, 1879, the 
boiler exploded (see page 103) . In seventy-one days from the time 
he commenced to remove the rubbish he was sawing again. Aug. 
18, 18S6, this mill burned, and with it a feed mill and many new 
machines added. Mr. Hawley and Alexander Pittenger did much 
to make Shelby a growing village. Mr. P. would sell Jots on time, 
and Mr. H. would furnish the lumber to build with, taking work or 



i 



AND BUSINESS MEN OF TO-PAY. 



353 



logs in pay. Many a j)erson coming to Shell)y got hi* fi. -it .«t;ivt by 
Mr. Hawley furnishing him work. In 18-1 he purcli.is.'d ^■ighty 
acres near the village, and afterwards forty acres more, and after 
manufacturing lime ui)on the place has transformed it into a model 
fruit farm. He now has 5,000 healthy trees living and expects to 
set out 2.000 more next year. He ha.s line buildings upon his place 
and although he has seen hard times everybody wishes him we!!. 

ALBERT Z. MOOUE— ISTl). 

Albert Z. ]Moore, or as he is known to his friends, ".\1 " Moore, 
was born at China, Kennebec Co., Maine, being a son of Robert and 
Lorania Moore. He has followed several occuparion«, being for 
seven years engaged in the business of tanning leather, eleven years 
in the railroad business most of the time as station agent at Shel- 
by, and at present being engaged in the hotel business at Shelby as 
landlord of the Moore Hotel. He is one of Oceana's most genial 
and hosi)itable citizens. His friends are limited only by his ac- 
quaintance, as every one with whom he comes in contact is im- 
pressed at once by the engaging manner he possesses. He is a gen- 
tleman of high and generous impulses, liviim .-imong his fi-iends. qui- 
et and unassuming, he v^'ins and holds tluir esteem i)y his true 
manliness of character. He came to Oieniia Count y in 1872. and 
has since resided at Shelby. He has been two terms Treasurer of 
his township. He is the present W. M. or Bnirina IjOfl^e No. 289, 
of Shelby, and there is no better posted ISr.ison in Xoi-thei'ii >iichi- 
gan than he, nor any who takes more pi-ide in the prosperiiy of the 
order. Married in 1877 to Miss Jennie Poijejoy. Xo chiMreu. 



MARCUS H. BROOKS 

Marcus Harrison Brooks was 
born in Lansing, Tompkins Co., 
N. Y., in lt-37. His parents 
were Mark Hargen and Elizabeth 
Brooks. His father was born in 
Conn. Our subject received his 
education at Grotten, Moravian 
and Plomer Academies. At the 
latter institution Prof. Clark, 
celebrated as the author of ^ 
Clark's grammar, was his pre- 
ceptor. Mr. Brooks started in f; 
life as a teacher at seventeen '/^ 
years of age and followed this 
occupation until he was twentj'- 
nine years of age. He read law 
while teaching, was examined 
and admitted to the bar July 



-18(37, 




354 



OCEANA COUNTY PIONEERS 



12, 1870. April 14, 1859, he married Anna Richards, who was 
born and p;revv to womanhood in Tioga Co., Pa. The union was a 
happy one and three sons and one daughter are still living to com- 
fort and bless them. Politically Mr. Brooks has always been a re- 
publican. He IS now serving his fourth term as Circuit Court Com- 
missioner. Has been Justice of the Peace in Hart since April, 1868, 
and served as Justice in Pennsylvania seven years. He has also 
been a member of the school Board at Hart since 1868, and Direct- 
or except one term. Has been Township Clerk several times. Mr. 
Brooks has been a careful, methodical business man, is pleasantly 
and comfortably situated, enjoys a large Justice business and is of- 
ten en'^aged as counsel and advisor in the settling of conflicting 
interests where the parties do not wish to engage in litigation. 

THEODORE G. HOUK — 1873. 

See page 220. 



GEORGE R. BATE— 1873. 

George R. Bate was born in Hudson, Hillsdale Co., Mich., June 
16, 1850. His parents were George and Mary Bate. He lived with 

his parents until the age of 
fourteen years when he 
branched out for himself, se- 
curing a situation in a hard- 
ware store in Adrian, where 
he continued for one year. 
He then went into a hardware 
store at St. Josejah where he 
remained until 1873. At that 
time he came to Pentwater 
and went to work upon a tug 
^|with his brother-in-law, Chas. 
^Lamont, where he learned en- 
-;gineering the first year and 
^obtained a license the next. 
He continued upon the tug 
three years. After being in 
business at Petoskey several 
years he returned to Oceana 
County and purchased the 
hardware business of Mathews & Chappell at Hart; in which busi- 
ness he is now engaged, carrying a full line of heavy and shelf hard- 
ware and hardware notions. In 1879 he was married to Miss Es- 
telle Moore, of Ha.rt, a daughter of B. Moore. They have one child, 




G. R. BATE. 



AND BUSINESS MEN OF TO-DAY, 



355 



a son. IMr. Bate is a quiet and unobtrusive gentleman, but withal 
has a wide circle of acquaintances and friends. As a business man 
he commands the respect and confidence of those with whom he 
comes in contact. 

JOHN A. COLLIER— 1873. 

John A. Collier, born at St. Johnsville, N. Y., Oct. 3, 1840, is a 
son of .lohn and Harriet P. Collier. He is one of those men who, 
when their country needed their strong arms, went to the front and 
did their duty without flinching. Apiii 17. l^ei, he enlisted in the 
3rd Mass. Vol. Inf. for three months and served ten days over his 
time before being discharged. He then went to New York State and 
on July 11, 1862, enlisted as 
a private in the 115th N. Y. 
Vol. Inf. for the term of thi'ee 
years. In August, 1862, he 
was promoted to Corporal; 
in October to 3rd Sergeant; 
May, 1863, to 1st Sergeant; 
Nov., 1864, to 2nd Lieut., 
and June. 1865, to 1st Lieut. 
and Adjutant. He was en- 
gaged in thirty battles and 
skirmishes and was slightly 
wounded several times. He 
served the three years less 
one month and was honora- 
bly discharged. On Sept. 7, 
1868, he was married to Miss 
Myra J. Hicks. They have 
two children, a son and a 
daughter. Mr. Collier came 
to Oceana Co. Nov. 4, 1873, 

and has smce resided at Hart where the greater part of the time he 
has followed blacksmithing. He has held the offices of Conr table. 
Justice and Treasurer in the township, and Village ]Marphal. Upon 
the recommendations of leading citizens of Hart, he has recently 
been appointed Postmaster of that village. He is present Secreta- 
ry and Treasurer of Oceana Countj' Veterans' Association. 




J. A. CO'^LIER. 



JOHN F. WIDOE— 1873. 

In October, 1873, a young man of good address, with an air of 
business about him, came to this county and in 1877 opened a 
small clothing store in Hart. This was the first attempt made by 



356 



OCEANA COUNTY PION'EERS 



any one ^o run an exclusive clothing store, and many predicted 

failure. The predictions fail- 
ed and our young clothier 
succeeded. His business grew, 
and he grew in favor with it 
until today it is recognized 
as one of the principal busi- 
ness institutions of Hart and 
heis enjoying his second term 
as INIayor of the village. The 
name of the person referred 
to is John F. Widoe, and he 
was born at Danville, Ohio, 
March 18, 1856. Sept. 4, 
1886, he married Cora East- 
man. They have one child, a 

''''^'V^^^^^^^^^^^^^S^^^^^^^^^i^-' daughter, Iva. to comfort 

them. Mr. Widoe has ever 
enjoj'ed the confidence and es- 
teem of the people of Hart, 
and has held many local of- 
i 1 \n>i)i fices. He is public spirited 

and hab contLibu^td lai^elj to the general prosperity of the village. 




WILLIAM WOODLAND— 1873. 



William Woodland, son of 
John and Margaret Woodland, 
was born at Perth, Canada, Dec. 
31, l>-42. He came to Grand 
Rai'ids, Mich., in Nov., lb^65, 
where he woi'ked in the construc- 
tion of the G. R. ct I. R. R. thro' 
Grand Rapids. Went to La- 
mont in 1867, where he remain- 
ed two years, then going West 
and engaging in Inmhering which 
he followed until August, 1872, 
when he returned to Michigan. 
He came to Oceana Co. in May, 
1873, and engaged in farming 
which he h.-is continued to follow 
to the present time. When he 
first came to Shelby, in 1873, 
there was but one hotel, one 




WM. WOODLAND. 



AND BUSINESS MKN OF TO-DAY. 



357 



hardware and Postoffice, one mercantile establishment, a j)eanut 
stand, school house, depot and saw mill in the village. He furnish- 
ed some of the timber and contributed money toward building the 
Congregational Church. He also helped to build the M. E. Church. 
At the time the church frame was raised the ladies furnished a din- 
ner at Hedges' Hall and he pronounced it an excellent one. Mr.W. 
was Highway Commissioner two years and School Director six 
years. He married at Lamont, Aug. 23, 1872, Miss Mary Roberts, 
and they have had six children, but have lost by death their oldest 
son and youngest daughter, leaving them three sons and one daugh- 
ter. 

WILLIAM H. DUNN — 1873. 

William H. Dunn was born in Wayne Co., INIich., July 14, 1812. 
He was one of our Union soldiers in the war of 1861, having been a 
member of Co. K, 27th Mich. 
Inf. Since the institution of 
G. A. R. Posts in this county 
he has always taken a great 
interest in their growth and 
general advancement. He is 
one of the Past Commanders 
of Shield's Post at Shelby. 
By occupation he is a farmer 
owning a tine farm in Shelby 
township. He came to this 
county in April, 1873, and 
has since taken a prominent 
l^art in the affairs of the coun- ; 
ty, and more especially of his ^ 
township. He is a leading 
member and Past Grand of >:, 
the Shelby Lodge I. O. O. F. t\ 
His political doctrine is 'home 
protection to labor as well as 
manufactures must be our 
national policy.' In the 
House of RejDresentatives of 
the State in 1889, he was 

made Sergeant-at-Arms, in which capacity he acted until its ad- 
journment. He now holds a position on the capitol jjolice force at 
Wasihington, D. C. Marritd April 10, 1861, Dema L. Doolittle. 
One child, a son. 

ELIAB S. HOUaHTALINU~1873. 

Eliab S. Houghtaling was born at Green Oak, Oakland Co., Mich., 




AV. H. DUNN. 



358 



OCEANA COUNTY PIONEERS 



May 22, 1848. His parents were W. 0. and P. E. Houghtaling. 
When three years of age he, with his parents, removed to a farm 
three miles northeast of Grand Rapids. Here he attended district 

school winters and worked upon 
the farm summers until sixteen 
years of age; after which time 
attended the Grand Rapids High 
School and the Grand Rapids 
Commercial College. Like many 
other young men he tlien engag- 
ed in teaching school. He taught 
in Kent Co. several winters; and 
in 1873, at the solicitation of 
friends he came to Crystal Val- 
y ley, this county, for the purpose 
of teaching that school, which 
he taught two terms. While 
teaching at Crystal Valley he 
met Miss Sadie A. Sackrider and 
in Octol)er, 1874, he married 
her. They have had born to 
them one child, a son. After his 
marriage he returned to Grand 
Rapids where he engaged in farming for two years, then embarking 
in manufacturing business. This business not proving as remuner- 
ative as could be desired, he gave it ujj and again came to Oceana 
Co. in 1883, locating at Hart and establishing his present business. 
He is proprietor of what is known as the "Star Grocery," and deals 
in groceries and provisions, foreign and domestic fruits and all ar- 
ticles usually found in a first class establishment of this kind. Mr. 
Houghtaling is known as a shrewd, careful and conscientious busi- 
ness man. He is now a member of the Village Council and is a 
prominent member of the Odd Fellows' fraternity, having the titles 
of P. G. and P. C. P. in that order. 




HOUGHTALING. 



GEORGE E. DEWEY — 1873. 

Geoi'ge E. Dewey is a son of George and Harriet Dewey and was 
born in Penn Line, Crawford Co., Pa., July 31, 1854. He resided 
at bis birthplace until thirteen years of age, when he moved to Kel- 
loggsville, Ashtabula Co., Ohio, where he worked at cheesemaking 
summers and attended school winters until 1873, Avhen he came to 
Oceana Co. He located first at Crystal Lake where he run the 
Crystal Lake mill for seven years; then came to Shelby village and 
formed a copartnership with Mr. M. C. White, under the name of 



AND BUSINESS MEN OF TO-DAV, 



359 




G. E. DEWEY. 



White & Dewey, in the general mercliandise business. This he con- 
tinued until 18S4, when they dissolved partnership and he became 
a member of the firm of Ran- 
kin & Dewey in the same bu- 
siness which he has since fol- 
lowed. The subject of our 
sketch has been generally 
prosperous in his business af- 
fairs, accumulating consider- 
able property. The firm is 
now located in the new Opera 
House Block and doing a bu- 
siness of $40,000 per annum, 
starting with a business of 
$10,000 per annum. :\h 
Dewej^ was elected Trea^urei 
of Shelby township in J8b<o, 
and again in 1886. In the 
village he has been a Trustee 
since its incorporation ex- 
cepting 2 years, Village Tieas- 
urer 1 year, and was Presi- 
dent in 1889. He is an act- 
ive Mason, and a public spirited man; now Treasurer of the Shelby 
Improvement Association. Married in November, 1882, to Miss 
Kate Rankin and they have three children, two ^ons and one 
daughter. 

CHARLES E. MCCLURE— 1 873. 

Charles E. McClure was born 
in Edinboro, Erie Co., Pa., Aug. 
2, 186 L. His x^arents' names 
were William and Eliza Mc- 
Clure. He lived with his par- 
ents at the place of his birth 
until he was twelve years of 
age, when the family came to 
Oceana Co., landingat Pentwa- 
ter and going by team to El- 
bridge township. After 1 year 
removed to Crystal Valley and 
during several years worked in 
shingle and sawmills there and 
at Hamlin and Manistee. He 
then decided to become a sail- 




360 



OCEANA COUNTY PIONEERS 



or and shipped aboard a I^ake Micliigan craft and sailed upon that 
lake several years. During this time he was twice shipwrecked, 
once at Pilot Island and again at Round Island in Green Bay. Af- 
ter leaving the lake he shipped aboard an ocean sailing craft at New 
York. While on salt water he visited France, England, Germany, 
Spain, New Zealand, West Indies and Mexico. He again met with 
shipwreck while in the Gulf of Mexico. Deciding to give up sailing 
he left his boat at New York and went to Dakota. After starving 
there thirteen months he returned to Michigan and in 1885 located 
in Leavitt and commenced farming. Dec. 22, 1886, he married 
Miss Anna Jensen and they now have one child, a daughter. He 
still owns forty acres of land on Sec. 7, Leavitt, of which twenty 
acres are improved. In 1889 he engaged in business at Walkerville 
where he is still located. For a young man he has had an eventful 
life; but is satisfied that in Oceana Co. he can do as well as any- 
where. 

DANIEL, E. MCCLURE— 1873. 

Daniel E. McClure was born at Gerrard, Pa., Oct. 2o, 1853. His 

parents were William and Eliza 
McClure. While living in Penn- 
sylvania he worked in the lum- 
ber woods and at farming for 
the i^urpose of paying his way 
at the Edinboro State Normal 
School which he attended two 
years, fitting himself for teach- 
ing. He came to Oceana Co. in 
Sept., 1873, and while "looking 
about him" sui)ported himself 
by farm work. He then secur- 
ed a situation and taught 
school for seven years in Ne- 
waygo and Oceana Counties, 
two years in country districts, 
four years as Principal of Shel- 
by schools, and one year as 
principal of Hesperia schools. 
Having saved enough money 
to warrant his attending some institution of learning with the idea 
of improving his education, he went to Valparaiso, Ind., to attend 
the Normal School from which he graduated. In 1882 he 
accepted a position with Harper & Bros, as salesm.anof their series 
of school books, traveling in Michigan, Minnesota, Dakota, Kan- 
sas, Wisconsin and Illinois. He continued in this business until 




D. E. MCCLURE. 



AND BUSINESS MEN OF TO-DAY. 



361 



1889, having been very successful, his success being evidenced by an 
increase of salary from year to year. In 1876, Aug. 16, he married 
Miss Julia E. Rathbone. Their family now consists of two daugh- 
ters and one son. Mr. McClure has been Township Superintendent 
of Schools, and in 1889 was elected Secretary of the County Board 
of Examiners for Oceana Co., which position he now holds. The 
subject of our sketch is pi'e-eminently a self-made man, having from 
his early boyhood been compelled to depend upon his own resources 
for his education and support. 

WILLIAM H. TULLER— 1873. 

William H. Tuller, only son of Wm. and Alvira Tuller, was born 
at Jonesville, Hillsdale Co., Mich., Feb. 12,1855. When nine years 
of age his father died and he was sent away from home to live with 
relatives. When thirteen yeai'sof age he returned to Jonesville and 
began work in the woolen mills Avhich he continued with slight inter- 




W. H. TULLER. 



mission until seventeen, when he became janitor in the union school. 
At this time he acquired what education he has, excepting a few 
months at a time in counti-y schools while living with relatives. In 
the spring of 1873 he came to Pentwater where he began life as a 
teamster in the woods, later clerking in a drug store, and in the 
winter of 1873 commencing the study of law with Grove it Hart- 
wick. Attended the Law Department of the State University at 



362 



OCEANA COUNTY PIONEERS 



Ann Arbor in the winter of 1874-5 and 1875-6, graduating in spring 
of 1876, and being admitted to the bar in this county soon after 
graduating. He then formed a partnership with L. M. Hartwick 
which continued but six months. Was one winter with R.M.Mont- 
gomery and in about 1879 entered the law office of W. E. Ambler 
where he continued about two years, gradually working into a 
knowledge of banking business, and finally about 1881 engaging 
with Nielsen & Co., Bankers, where he continued until July, 1889, 
with a break of onlj^ about a year in 1SS6-7. In the fall of 1876 he 
was appointed Dejiuty Collector of Customs for the port of Pentwa- 
ter, which office he held until 1885. In 1878 he was elected Justice 
of the Peace, holding one term. In 1881 he was elected Clerk of the 
township, and again in 1885-6-7-8. He has also been School In- 
spector of the township and a member of the Common Council of 
the village. He has been identified with the Pentwater Fire Depart- 
ment for fifteen j'ears, holding the office of Chief for five years; also 
being the i^resent Secretary of the Michigan State Firemen's Asso- 
ciation, this being his fifth term. Mr. TuUer was married in April, 
1877, to Miss Ida A. Newark, from whom he parted by mutual con- 
sent in 1885. On May 17, 18S8, married Miss Mai*y E. McClure and 
they have had one child, W. Ma.ck, born March 24, 1889; died May 
21, 1890. 

THOMAS H. BAKER— 1874. 

Thomas H. Baker was born Aug. 13, 1858, at St. George, Brant 

Co., Ont. His parents were 
Thos R. and Elizabeth Ba- 
ker. He learned the tinner's 
trade when quite young. In 
1874 he came to Oceana Co. 
July 2, 1880, he was married 
to Miss Lottie M. Phelps, of 
Jefferson, Ohio. They have 
two children, a son and a 
daughter. Mr. Baker has al- 
ways followed his trade 
working in Shelby four 
years for Joseph Tyler and 
four years for Archie R. 
McKinnon. By close ap- 
XDlication to business and 
strict economy he has ac- 
cumulated some means and 
T. H. BAKER. has recently jDurchased a fruit 

farm. He is a 3'oung man with many friends. Has twice been 




AND BUSINESS MEX OP TO-DAY. 



363 



elected Clerk of the village of Shelby, and in the Odd Fellows Lodge 
has held the position of Noble Grand. 

WILLIE H. SHIRTS— 1874. 

"Willie H. Shirts was born cat Bryon, Ohio, April 15, 1860, and is 
a son of E. J. Shirts. He came to Oceana Co. May 1, 1874, and has 
made Shelby his home most 
of the time since. He was, 
however, a clerk in S. H. Las- 
ley & Co.'s store at Montague 
for three years. On May J , 
188 L, he began business at 
Shelby with his brother, J. D. 
M. Shirts, as grocers, which 
they still continue, doing a 
good business. The subject 
of our sketch is a, young man 
of good address, well thought 
of in his locality. He was 
elected Village Treasurer in 

the spring of 1887, and re- ^.^^=. n,' '"" '^^'' "y^ 

elected to the same office in 
1888. In 1889 he was elect- 
ed a Trustee of the village, 
which office he now holds. w. ii. shirts. 

Oct. 1, 1883, he was appoint- 
ed local agent of the American Express. Co. and still continues to 
discharge the duties of that position. He was married, at Monta- 
gue, June 8, 1382, to ^Margaret M. Raby, and one child, a daughter, 
now contributes to the happiness of their hreside. 




WILLIAM H. BAKUV— 18(4. 

William H. Barry was born in Orleans Co., X. Y., Feb. 8, 1845. 
His parents were John and Mary jNL Barry. He was brought up 
upon a farm and has followed that occupation nearly all his life. 
He came with his parents to Girard, Branch Co., Mich., in 1852, 
where he continued to reside most of the time until 1874. He 
taught school one winter and cut and run logs two years in Allegan 
Co. He spent one summer in Manistee loading lumber vessels. 
During the war he served as a private in Bat. E, 1st INIich. L. Art. 
from Oct. 4, 1864, to July 30, 1865. He came to Oceana County 
in June, 1874, and began choi^ping on farm in Shelb}'- township in 
August of the same year. Has since then worked some in the lum- 
bir woods and mills in this county. In 1882 he engaged in keeping 



364 



OCEANA COUNTY PIONEERS 




bees and now has 102 colonies. 
He owns and partly works a 
farm of forty acres in Shelby, 
and one of eighty acres in Gold- 
en. Mr. Barry was elected Con- 
stable in 1877; Supervisor in 
1881 and 1883, and Trustee of 
his school district. He has al- 
ways been a leader in whatever 
he undertakes. Among the 
I Grangersjof the county he is a 
man of influence; is a leading 
member of the Masonic Lodge 
at Shelby, and also of the G. A. 
R. Post. 



W. H. BARRY. 



WILLIAM. P. SACKRIDER— 1874. 

Williani P. Sackrider was born at Norwich, Can., Oct. 28, 1864. 
His parents were Charles and Catherine Sackrider. He moved with 
his parents to Grand Rapids, 
Mich., in 1871, and to Oceana 
Co., locating at Hart, in '74. 
In 1880 he graduated from 
the Hart Union School, and 
commenced teaching. In '82 
he graduated from Valparai- 
so, Ind., in the teacher's 
course, and continued school 
teaching until Jan. 1, 1887, 
when he entered the law office 
of L. G. Rutherford, at Hart, 
and began the study of law ^ 
Was admitted to the bar Oct 
31, 1887, and at once entered 
into partnership with Mr 
Rutherford in the i^ractice of 
that profession. HewasDep 
uty County Clerk in 1888, 
and at the fall election was 
elected Clerk of the county. 




W. p. SACKRIDER. 



AND BUSINESS MEN OF TO-DAY. 365 

which office he is now filling, discharging its duties to the abundant 
satisfaction of all who have business with the office. March 24, '87, 
he was married to Miss Nina Bailey, at Hart. Mr. and Mrs. Sack- 
rider are possessed of many warm personal friends whom they have 
made by their courteous manners. 

EDGAR H. HOTCHKISS— 1874. 

Edgar H. Hotchkiss, son of Cyrus and Asenath Hotchkiss, was 
born at Colebrook, Litchfield Co., Conn., June 12, 1S30. He at- 
tended common schools until the age of twelve years, since which 
time he has only been to school three daj's. He came to Michigan 
the loth day of Oct., 1868, locating at Fennville, Allegan Co., where 
he remained working at his trade, carpenter and joiner, until he 
came to Oceana Co. He arrived in this county April 15, 1874, lo- 
cated in Golden township where he has since resided, working at his 
trade until 1884, when he was apx^ointed express agent at Mears, 
which position he still holds. In 1852 he voted for Franklin Pierce 
that being the only democratic vote he ever cast. In 1856 voted 
for John C. Fremont. In October, 1878 he was elected Township 
Clerk to fill vacancy, and was re-elected in 1879-'80-l-2-5-8. He 
has also held the office of Justice of Peace 7 years. He has taken a 
great interest in Odd Fellowship and is one of the Past Grands of 
Hart Lodge. As a temperance worker he is known over the coun- 
ty having always been i)rominent in that line of work. Married 
Oct. 13, 1850, Miss Susan Hotchkiss and they have had three chil- 
dren, one son and two daughters. 

OTTO W. MARSH— 1874. 

Otto W. INIarsh, son of Wm. M. and Cynthia Marsh, was born at 
Jackson, Wayne Co., Ohio, Dec. 18, 1851. He came to Oceana Co. 
in 1874, and lived with his uncle, Mr. E. A. Benjamin, in Weare for 
two years. In 1876 he moved to Pentwater where he has since re- 
sided, excepting two years in Kansas. He made up his mind that 
he did not like Kansas, and that Michigan was good enough for 
him. He has followed teaming for a number of years and has the 
record of drawing the largest load of lumber ever hauled from Crys- 
tal to the docks at Pentwater. It scaled five thousand feet at Crys- 
tal Valley. He is now proprietor of the Pentwater Transfer and 
Dray Line, and is doing a good business, making it a point to go to 
the dej)ot every day. On Oct. 3, 1876, he was married to Miss Su- 
sanna Sage, a daughter of Henry Sage, of Weare. They have two 
children, a son and a daughter. 

AZWELL E. BURGESS— 1875. 

Azwell E. Burgess was born in Canada, June 4, 1835. His par- 



360 



OCKAXA COL'N'n' PIONEERS 




A. /.. BL'RGES.S. 

ents were William A. and Nancy A. Bnraess. He 1ms been a sailor 
for the past forty years. Was master of the -'Siiartan," that bro't 
supplies to Cobh it Rector at Peiitwater in 1854. He ha.s since 
been master in sailinj: Vfsst-ls and steam liarge.s, being for three 
years back, mastei- of \ he barge Daisy Day. He came to this coun- 
ty Oct. 21, 187o. and has since resided here. He has held the offi- 
ces of Overseer of Higliways and Trustee of School District. He is 
a leading member of Pentuater Lodge No. 378, I. O. O. F., and one 
of its Past Grands. On Dec. 24, 1862, he was married at St. Jo- 
seph, Berrien Co., to Mary I*]Ii/a Reynolds, who was born May 16, 
ll543, at Lawrence, Van Buren Co., Mich. They have had seven 
children, three sons and four daughters, all living and three married. 



CORNELIUS W. CIIAMEK— 1875. 

Cornelius W. Cramer was born at Sharon, Washtenaw Co., Mich., 
on the 10th day of .\pnl, 1848. He is a son of Peter and Ar- 
temisia Cramer. His father now resides in North Weare. The sub- 
ject of our sketch removed with his parents to Woodland, Barry 
Co. in 1>"'52, where he resided until 1^64, when he removed to Hast- 
ings, Mich., where he nttendeil the high school. He was married 
April IT), ls73, to Miss Phel)e Kinckerliacor, of Rutland, Barry Co. 



AND BUSINESS MEN OF TO-DAY. 



367 



He taught school in Barry 
Co. during six winters, work- 
ing at the cai'penter's trade 
summers. He was one of the 
pioneer carpenters of Cadil- 
lac, helping to frame and 
build some of the first build- 
ings there. When he went 
there in 1872 there was but 
one frame house there. He 
studied medicine with Mr. E. 
F. Brown at Hastings in 1874 
and during the winter of '7 A- .5 
was a student at the medical 
department of the University. 
In March, 1875, he came to -'--v; 
Pentwater and began the 
practice of medicine as a ho- 
meopath, which he has since 
continued, working up a good 
practice. In February, 1886, 
he graduated from the Hahn- 
emaun JNIedical College at Chicago 
Oct. 28, 1875. 




/ 



,^m'' 



C. W. CRAMER. 



He has one son, Fred W., born 



ALFRED E. SOUTER — 1875. 

Alfred E. Souter was born at Wingfield Castle, Suffolk Co., Eng., 
March 23, 1851. He is a son of Thomas and ]N[ary Souter and was 
raised upon a farm. In August, 1875, he came to Oceana County 
and located upon a farm near Carpenter's scliool house. In 1883 
he began his present business at Shelby, viz.: insurance, real estate 
and collecting. Mr. Souter has been always energetic in busmess af- 
fairs and a leader among his associates in other matters. He is 
one of the Past Grands of Shelby Lodge No. 344, I. O. O. F. In the 
first I. 0. G. T. Lodge organized at Shelby he was for six terms W. 
C. T. In the township he is now serving his second term as Justice. 
Has been Village Attorney and Trustee of the graded school. In 
religious matters he is an earnest worker and for eight years has 
been Trustee of the M. E. Church. Mr. Souter married July 
2, 1&75, Miss Susie A. McClentic, who was born near Port Dover, 
Ont., July 9th, 1885. Her father died when she was about one 
year of age, leaving the care and sujiport of a family of five children 
to her mother, who proved equal to the occasion and suc- 
ceeded in giving them a fair common school education. Mrg. 



368 



OCEANA COUNTY PIONEERS 




A. E. SOUTEK. 

E. Church and its auxiliaiy 
societies. She has also been 
an active member of the W. 
C. T. U., and the Rebelcah 
Lodge at Shelby. Her great- 
est pride and most pleasant 
Avork is in the care and edu- 
cation of her little family of 
children, consisting of four 
sons and one daughter. Mrs. 
Souter appreciates, -with just 
reason, her j)leasant home 
which she has helped tobuild. 
Having known the privations 
and hardships of p)ioneer life 
she can more fully realize the 
blessings of her present sur- 
roundings. With "Mrs. Grun- 
dy" she has no acquaintance. 



Souter came to Michigan with 
her mother at the age of elev- 
en years. At the age of six- 
teen she began teaching school 
and taught thirteen terms, 
nearly half of them in one dis- 
trict. She came with her hus- 
band to this county and set- 
tled with him upon their 
woods farm. She afterwards 
taught the Carpenter school 
three terms and the Piper 
school, district No. 1, one 
term, during which time she, 
with the help of Mr. S., did 
the housework at home. She 
was a charter member of and 
held the office of Treasurer in 
the first lodge of I. O. G. T. 
organized in Shelby. She has 
for ten years been a member 
and earnest worker in the M. 




MRS. A. E. SOUTER. 



FRANK W. NEWMAN— 1869. 

Frank W. Newman was born in Eaton County, Mich., Jan. 21, 



AND BUSINESS MEN OF TO-DAY. 



369 



1S59. Ten years latei' his parentt; niovr(] to Oceana Co., whi-'-e for 
the most part Mr. N. has since resided. His education was oitain- 
ed in a common t^chool and on a farm. Prom lb78 to 1881 lie as- 
sisted his father in a general store, located at first in Shelby and la- 
ter in Coopersville. Returning to Shelby in Nov. 1881, he taught 
school during tlie winter, and the following year entered the emploj' 
of Judson Paimiter, then proprietor of the Shelhy Indepenueni, as 
"devil," local reporter and general in.inager of that sheet. Spent 
the winter of l.-SS-l inChii'a- 
go at the case. Returning in 
February, l-Sl, he purchas- 
ed the office of the Independ- 
ent, and has since been its 
i:)roprietor until his death, 
which occurred Mar. 2, 1890 
In November, 1881, he wa^ 
married to JMiss Florence A. 
Grousbeck, of Ellington, 
Minn. He was elected to the 
office of Township Clerk three 
years on the republican tick- ~ 
et. I'nder JMr. Newman's 
management the Inde])endent 
has been an aggressive repub- 
lican pnper, taking an actne 
part in the campaigns of "8i, 
'86 and '88. On the tardl 
an ardent protectionist, and 
supporting the submi.>^sion of 

a prohibitory amendment to the Constitution of the State, and 
working for its success when submitted in 1887. A hearty support- 
er of prohibition by counties when the amendment had failed, and 
to the last had an abiding faith that the republicans of the State 
will give the people some temperance legislation that will be satis- 
factory to the great masses of temperance people. 




F. W. NEWMAN. 



BENJAMIN MOOUE— 1868. 

The subject of this sketch was by birthright a Quaker, having 
been born of Quaker parents, John and Mary Moore, in Sadsbury, 
then in Lancaster, but now in Chester County, Pa., on the 2Hth 
day of Oct., 1814. His education was limited, bring acquired at 
the common schools, and his earlj' life uneventful. On the 20th 
day of Nov., 1839, he took to wife Hannah Harlan, at the Quaker 
church in Sadsbury, according to the ordei-, aixl until death parted 



370 



OCEANA COUNTY PIONEERS 



them they remained a true 
and devoted couple. His wife 
was born on the 22nd day of 
Jan., 1819, in Newport ville, 
Pa. Mr. Moore remained a 
Quaker in belief until a few 
years before his death when 
he became a Spiritualist. He 
had four sons and one daugh- 
ter. The eldest son died at 
the age of 22 years. The oth- 
er children are still living. He 
was by trade a carpenter. He 
never was conspicuous in pol- 
itics, but was a Garrisonian 
abolitionist, and always a 
friend to the slave and the 
oppressed wherever found. 
The first time he ever voted 
was for Harrison in 1840. 
He also voted for the loved Lincoln. He came to Oceana Co. in the 
fall of 1868, settled in Blooming Valley and for many j^ears kept an 
accurate record of rain and snow fall, temperature, etc., a table of 
■which appears elsewhere. He died at Shelliy, July 22, 1886, great- 
ly respected by all who knew him for his honesty and fan- dealing. 
His wife is still living. 




B. MOORE. 



willia:m f. 
W'lliam F. Hillyard was 
born at Troy, Ashland Co., 
Ohio, Feb. 14, 1847. He is a 
son of Martin and Johana 
Hillyard. He came to Oceana 
Co. in lo76, locating in Leav- 
itt, where he has since resid- 
ed, and where ^he now owns 
and works a farm of eighty 
acres. He has been Tr-easur- 
er three terms and Supervis- 
or one term. He is an indus- 
trious, persevering man and 
is gradually accumulating this 
world's goods. On Jan. 1, 
1868, he married Miss Ellen 
Plumley, and four children, 
three sons and one daughter, 
have blessed the union. As a 



hillyard— 1876. 




AND BUSINESS MEN OF TO-DAY. 



371 



public officer ]Mr. Hillyard has always given good satisfaction and 
as a neighbor is agreeable and pleasant. 

RICHARD E. SOUTHWICK — 1876. 

Richard E. Southwick, the son of Josiah and Huldah (Hawiey) 
Southwick, was born in Erie Co., N. Y., Ai)ril 27, 1852. He is the 
eighth generation from Lawrence and Cassandra Southwick, who 
came from England to America in 1636 and settled at Salem, Mass. 
The family were Quakers and nearly all farmers. Mr. S. came to 

Oceana County in 1876, and 
bought a farm on Sec. 22, El- 
bridge. Jn 1877 he was mar- 
ried to Miss Emma Rogers, 
daughter of Isaac and Eliza 
(Mills) Rogers, of Ottawa Co., 
Mich. They commenced pio- 
neer life in a log house; their 
^ stock consisting of one cow 
and a yoke of oxen. He now 
has as good a stock and fruit 
farm as any in the county, 
comprising 120 acres, lioth 
he and his wife taught school 
before and after marriage; 
and he was two years Suj^er- 
intendent of Schools in El- 
bridge. He is one of the Di- 
rectors and Agent of the Far- 
mers' Insurance Co. ^Ir. S. 
believes that education is es- 
sential to SI farmer, and that to be successful one must learn the 
trade and use more judgment and brains than in any other occupa- 
tion. His children are J. Rogers, Bertha Sopha, Lulu and Richard I. 




K. E. SOUTHWICK. 



WILLIAM ELMER THORP— 1876. 

W. E. Thorp, as he is known throughout the length and breadth 
of Oceana County, like many of those whose sketches have before 
ai^peared is a nativeof New York State. He was born at Sherman. 
N. Y., Jan. 14, 1841. to Alfred and P'rances R. Thorp. He received 
the usual advantages of common school education and engaged in 
school teaching and clerking. When the war of the rebellion l)i oke 
out he enlisted as a private in Co. D, 21st N. Y. Inf., and served 2 
years, ^^'as in the U. S. Navy as a landsman 9 months and was 
honorably discharged. Since the war he has taken an active inter- 



372 



o:eana county pioneers 



est in G. A. R. matters and has 
done as much as any one man 
in Oceana Co. to secure veteran 
organizations m the county. 
The G. A. R. record published 
elsewhere, shows what positions 
he has held in the order. Pos- 
sessing a good commercial edu- 
cation he was especially compe- 
tent to fill the position of Assist. 
Adjt. Gen'l of the Dept. of Mich. 
G. A. R., to which he was appoint ■ 
ed by Comdr. Rutherford; owing 
to the successful conduct of that 
department has received many 
flattering testimonials from his 
comrades. He married Helen 
M. Sheldon, an estimable lady, 

Jan. 7, 1868, who is still his faithful companion. He came to 
Oceana Co., May 1, 1876, and in September of the same year en- 
gaged in the mercantile business at Hart, which he has since suc- 
cessfully conducted. Mr. Thorp is an ardent democrat and has of- 
ten been honored 'with nominations by that party, the most nota- 
ble being the nomination in 1886 for Representative in the State 
Legislature. He has held the office of Village Trustee of Hart one 
term. Mr. Thorp is a genial, whole-souled gentleman, who not on- 
ly seeks to enioy life himself, but contributes all in his power to the 
comfort and pleasure of others. He still resides at Hart. 




W. E. THORP. 



RAYMOND ROSS — 1877. 

Raymond Ross, son of Dunham and Savina Ross, was born in 
Bradford Co., Pa., June 30, 1852. He can;>e to this county in June, 

1877, and bought eighty acres of wild land on Sec. 12, Elbridge, 
which he has since been engaged in clearing and working, at the same 
time doing carpenter work when opportunity offered. He now has 
sixty acres improved with an orchard of 600 peach, 200 apple trees 
and 100 grapevines. He is a member of the Stetson Lodge I. O. O. 
F. and is one of the best posted of its members. Married Jan. 13, 

1878, to INIiss ]Myrtie A. Taylor, and they now have five children, 
thi^ee sons and two daughters. 



:n[elvin o. fisher— 1877. 

Melvin 0. Fisher was born at Mendon, St. Joseph County, Mich., 
June 2, 1856. He is a son of William G. and Sarah A. Fisher, now 



AND BUSINESS MEN OF TO-DAY. 



373 




M. O. nSHEU 



residing in Crystal township. 
He came to Oceana County iu 
March, 1877, and is now re- 
siding at Crystal tRwnship. 
He has held the office of School 
Inspector two terms and that 
of Highway Commissioner 
one term. He is an active 
member of the Odd Fellows' 
fraternity, having just finish- 
ed his term as Noble Grand 
of Crystal Valley Lodge No. 
386. Has also been Treasu- 
rer of that Lodge. He has 
followed farming generallj'for 
a livelihood, but has also 
learned the carpenter trade. 
"Mel," as he is familiarly 
called, has many friends and 
is accounted a good feliow by 
all his acquaintances. 



JOHN V. CAHILL— 1877 

John V. Cahill was born at Al- 
den, Erie Co., N. Y., May 8, '40. 
He is the son of Patrick and El- 
lenor W. Cahill. June G, 18G7, 
he was married to Lydia E. 
Miers. Mr. Cahill has been a 
farmer and mechanic and is now 
a member of the firm of Griswold 
& Cahill, carrying a general line 
of hardware, at Hart. He has 
been a soldier, having enlisted 
as a private in Co. G, 10th Wis. 
Inf. and serving three years. He 
was wounded at the battle of 
Perrysvilie, Ky. As a G. A. R. 
man he stands high, having been 
Commander of Joe Hooker Post 
at Hart, also having'held other 
offices in that organization. He 
has been a resident of this coun- 
ty since November, 1877, and probably no business man in the 
county has the confidence of the public to a greater e.xtent than he. 




J. V. CAHILL. 



374 



OCEANA COUXTY PIONEERS 



RICHARD V. WANMER — 1877. 

The 1 subject of this sketch was born 
N. Y., April 24, 1857, the son 
of Uriah and Elizabeth Wan- 
mer. His boyhood daj^s were 
silent upon a farm. He came 
to Oceana Co. Dec. 27, 1877, 
and worked out upon a farm 
until the spring of '82, when 
having purchased a forty acre 
farm near the celebrated Geb- 
hart fruit farm, conniienced 
the business of fruit raising, 
and today he owns one of the 
model fruit farms of thecoun- 
ty. His peach and plum or- 
chards cover a large portion 
of his farm. Although still a 
young man he has secured for 
himself a fine home and com- 
petence, and established a 
reputation as one of the most 
successful fruit raisers of the 



in Schenectady > 







R. V. WANMF.R. 



county. Feb. 20, '84, he married Miss Mate Stark, who has borne 
to him two children, one son and one daughter. 

WILLIAM HENRY CORNELL— 1877. 

"Harry" Cornell, as he is 
familiarly known, was born at 
Hamilton, Ont., Feb. 2, '54, 
the son of William and Eliza- 
beth Cornell. He visited Oce- 
ana Co. Dec. 15, 1877, while 
traveling from place to place 
as a dentist. The advanta- 
ges offered by Hart for a resi- 
dent dentist induced him to 
locate there. Oct. 9, 1879, 
he married Miss Minnie Palm- 
iter, and together this hapjjy 
couple occupy a fine home in 
Hart village, blessed by one 
'child, a daughter. Mr. Cor- 
nell is one of the best dentists 
in Northern Michigan and is 
the only one located in the 




^^^=^/l' 

W^^'' 



AXD BUSINESS MEN OF TO-DAY. 



375 



county. His main office is at Hart, but he visits both Pentwater 
and Shelby weekly. Had he adopted the theatrical profession he 
would have made a success, as he is a natural actor and possesses 
unusual dramatic talent. He is manager and proprietor of Palmi- 
ter's Opera Hall, and to him our peojDle are indebted for the ap- 
pearance in the county of many fine troupes. Mr. Cornell has 
made a success in business, and enjoys a wide circle of friends. 



JOHN M. HEIM— 1877. 

John M. Helm was born at Wittemburg, Germany, his j)arents 
being Michael and Mary Heim. He was married in New York City 
to Mary Shelcup, who died in 1875. They had seven children, four 
sons and three daughters. In 1876 he m.arried Agnes Whitcomb, 
whose i)arent's names were William and Mary Anderson; they have 
had no children. Mr. Heim, besides serving four years in the Ger- 
man army before coming to this country, has been a Union soldier 
serving as private twenty-eight months in the 72nd and 38th Ohio 

Inf. He is now a prominent 
and enthusiastic G. A. R. 
member, and has held the of- 
fice of S. Y. By trade he is a 
cabinet maker and joiner, 
serving an apprenticeship of 
fourteen years; and following 
his tx'ade altogether for for- 
ty years. Before going into 
the army he had provided 
his family with a home; but 
coming home from the war 
sick, and his whole family be- 
ing sick, he lost his home. He 
then decided to come to Oce- 
ana Co. in Aug. 1877, arriv- 
ing herewith nothingof value 
excepting an old team. Nev- 
er having farmed and being 
no judge of land he located in 
the openings of Otto, where 
he soon starved out. He 
then homesteaded 160 acres one-half mile east of Ferry on the 
"flats," a large portion of the land being under water. Afterwards 
he drained the land into White River. He and the boys worked 
hard and saved and they soon had a good farm. He gave each of 
the boys who were with him 40 acres, gave his daughter $300, and 




J. M. HEIM. 



376 



OCEAXA COUNTY PIONEERS 



sold the forty on which the buildings were located for §1,500, and 
moved into Ferry. In 1884 hebuilt the hotel building in which he is 
now located, known as the "Eagle Hotel." In 1888 hebuilt a large 
store building withhall above known as "Heim's Hall." Mr. Heim 
has always been a public spirited man and an evidence of that fact 
is the Baptist Church, the only church building in Ferry, a large 
share of the expense of which has been borne by him. 



CHARLES F. LEWIS — 1878. . 

Charles F. Lewis, son of Charles E. and Ann E. Lewis, was born 
at Lyons, Ionia Oo., Mich., Nov. 11, 1876. He came to Pentwater 
in August, 1878, a^nd was for three years thereafter a clerk m the 

Pentwater Lumber Compa- 
ny's stores. After leaving 
there he was appointed a 
route agent on the F. & P.M. 
R. R., Avhich position he held 
but a short time when he re- 
ceived the appointment of 
Postmaster at Pentwater in 
'81. He continued in that 
position for six years, giving 
good satisfaction to all con- 
cerned. After leaving the P. 
O. he became a member of 
the firm of C. F. Lewis & Co., 
general hardware dealers, and 
has since managed the busi- 
ness for the firm. Mr. Lewis 
is a young man of good prin- 
ciples, capable, honest and 
energetic, and under his management the business has prospered. 
Married April 1, '81, to Lizzie L. Webb, and thej- now have two 
children, a son and a daughter. 




C. F. LEWIS. 



GEORGE B. GETTY— 1878. 

George B. Getty, the subject of this sketch, was born in Jackson, 
Pa., Oct., 1847. He is a son of Henry and Anna O. Getty. At the 
age of seventeen years, in 1864, he enlisted in Co. D, 45th Pa. Vet. 
Vol. Inf., serving until the close of the war, being discharged with 
his regiment in July, '65. He then returned to Pennsylvania, en- 
gaging in the lumber business, which he continued until the spring of 
'78, when he came to Shelby, this county. He went, as engineer, 



AND BUSINESS MEN OF TO-DAY. 



377 



with E. Remick to East Golden for that season, subsequently with 
C. A. Hawley until '83. In that year the Shelby Lumber Company 
was formed, comi^osed of George B. Getty, E. H. Cutler and Charles 
Rolph. They purchased and rebuilt the Williams saw mill and 
about a year later I\Ir. Get- 
ty purchased the entire 
property, adding a planing 
mill and other improve- 
ments, and successfully op- 
erated the same until Aug. 
3, '89, when the mill and 
entire stock of lumber was 
destroyed by fire. The en- 
tire loss was about $25,000 
Mr. Getty losing about 
$14,000 with only $2,000 
insurance. This was a M'- 
vere loss to him, but in H' 
wise discouraged he turned 
his attention to his farm, 
just north of the village, 
formerly known as the Ran- 
dall farm, and proceeded to 
build thereon a comforta- 
ble farm house, warmed 

throughout by steam, one of the best farm houses in the county. 
Here, surrounded by a loving family, consistuig of a wife, three sons 
and a daugliter, he expects to round up the journey of life. ^Ir. 
Getty is a part owner of the Shelby Roller Flouring Mills, and one 
of the stockholders of the Shelby Improvement Company, owner of 
the Opera House block. He was the first President of the village 
and has been twice re-elected to the same office. Was one of the 
first movers in organizing, and a charter member of, Shelby Lodge 
No. 344, I. 0. O. F.; also of Shields Post No. 08, G. A. R., and 
Ritch Command No. 28, Union Veteran Union, besides holding mem- 
bership in several other benevolent organizations. Mr. Getty is 
well and favorably known, enjoying the esteem and confidence of a 
host of friends in Shelby and throughout the county. 




G. B. GETTY. 



HEXRY SAGE— 1878. 



One of Weare's successful farmers is Mr. Henry Sage, who was 
born in Naiisea, Somersetshire, England, to Samuel and Elizabeth 
Sage, Sept. 6, 1828. He emigrated to America in 1852, and for 
many years was engaged in mining in Pennsylvania. In October 



378 



OCEAXA COUNTY PIONEKKS 




H SAGE. 



'54, he was married to Mrs. 
Mary L. Bainton, who was 
born at Bradford, Wilt- 
shire, England, April 8, '22, 
her father's name beingWil- 
liam Taylor. She was first 
married to Samuel Bain- 
ton, and after his decease 
to Mr. Sage, as above. On 
the 26th day of January, 
'62, Mr. Sage enlisted in the 
107th Pa. Vols., served un- 
til Pec. 2, '62, when he was 
discharged on account of 
wounds received in battle. 
Sept. 25,' 64, he again enlist- 
ed and served until July S, 
'65 when he was discharged. 
He held the office of Corpo- 
al. Mr. Sage came to Oce- 
ana County and settled ui> 
on the place he now owns 



on the 4th day of June, 
'78, his wife following him a 
year later. They have six 
children, one son and five 
daughters, all living. This 
worthy couple have done 
their shai'e of hard work 
and have made their farm 
one of the finest in Weare. 
They possess the confidence 
of the business community 
and the respect of their 
neighbors. 




AXD BUSINESS MEN OF TO-DAY. 



379 




H. J. HOLMES. 



HORACE J. HOLMES — 1878. 

Horace J. Holmes, a son of Abner G. and Hepsey B. (Davis) 
Holmes, was bom in Erie Co., Pa., Dec. 19, 1822. At the com- 
mencement of the civil war, April 19, '61, he enlisted in Co. G, 10th 
Wis. Vol. Inf., as a private and served for three years. Was ap- 
pointed Second Lieut, by E. D. 
Townsend, Asst. A. Gen'l, U. S. 
A., Dec. 14, '64. As a soldier 
Mr. Holmes saw some severe 
service. He came to this coun- 
ty April 4, '78, and has since 
resided at Hart. By profession 
he is an architect and builder, 
and since March, '87, he has 
been engaged in book-keeping, 
also doing architectural work. 
In 1847 he joined the I. O. O. F. 
and afterwards became a char- 
ter member of Oceana Lodge No. 
327, at Hart, and its first Noble 
Grand. In 1851 he joined the 
Masonic fraternity, in '71 became a Knight Templar, and in '74 re- 
ceived the Council degrees. In '67 he became a member of the G. A. 
E. and was in '88 Post Commander of Joe Hooker Post No. 2(3, at 
Hart. Mr. Holmes was married June 9, '61, to Catherine C. Cahill, 
who bore him six children, three sons and three daughters. 

F. COON— 1879. 

Edward F. Coon was born 
at Spofford, Onondaga Co., 
N. Y., Aug. 6, 1842. He is a 
son of J. V. R. and Clarine 
Coon. At the commencement 
of the war he enlisted in Co. 
1, 99th N.Y., and served three 
years. He came to Oceana 
Co. in '79 and settled at Shel- 
by, where he remained until 
about two years ago »> hen he 
^ accepted a position as trav- 

eling salesman with the Capi- 
tal Wagon Co., of Lansing, 
which position he still holds. 
On Sept. 13, '86, at LaGro, 
Ind.,he was married to Mary 
M. Kellar, who makes her 



EDWARD 




380 



OCEANA COUNTY PIONEERS 



home at Shelby while her husband is upon the road. Mr. Coon is 
deservedly popular with all classes, being of a genial disjposition and 
always ready with a i^leasant word for any he may meet. In '81-2 
Mr. Coon held the office of Vice President; and '83-4 of President of 
the Oceana County Veteran Association. 






FRANK W. WILSON— 1879. 




Jessie Rankin, a daughter of 
D,H. and Christine Rankin. 
She was born Feb. 3, '67, at 
Marquette, Mich., and came 
to Shelby, Aug. 4, '79. Mr. 
and Mrs. Wilson now have 
one daughter, Gracie, born 
Oct. 24, '88. Mr. Wilson is a 
well read and consequently 
successful physician. He and 
his wife enjoy the esteem of 
then' numerous acc[uaint- 
ances. 



Frank W. Wilson was born 
at Tilbury, East Canada, 
Feb. 9, 1855. He is a son of 
Andrew and Maria Wilson. 
His early life was spent in 
Canada. In 1876 he entered 
the regular department of 
medicine of the University of 
Michigan, at Ann Arbor, from 
which he graduated in the 
spring of '79. He then came 
to Shelby and ojpened an of- 
fice for the practice of medi- 
cine and surgery, where he 
has since remained following 
his profession. On Mar. 26, 
1884, he was married to Miss 




MRS. F. W. WILSON. 



AXD BUSINESS MEN OF TO-DAY, 



381 



JOHN F. GUMMING— 1879. 



John F. Cumming was born in 
Delaware Co., N. Y., March 11, 
1853. He is a son of John and 
Sarah Cumming. Came to Oce- 
ana Co. April 3, '79, and has 
resided here. From Aj)ril, '84, 
for one year was engaged intend- 
ing the Little Point Au Sable 
Lighthouse. He, with Geo.Cran- 
dall, started a democratic news- 
paper, and while he was engaged 
at other work to procure funds 
to keep the i^aper "booming," 
Mr. Crandall became discourag- 
ed and left the State, giving the 
paper a natural death. He is at 
present engaged in clearing a 
farm tor fruit. Was Postmas- 
ter during the last six months 
of Cleveland's administration. 




.;■ ^>; 



J. F. CUMMING. 




MRS. J. F. CUMMING. 



Was Justice of the Peace one 
term and Supervisor in 1SS9. 
Married July 4, 1873, to Clar- 
enda James who was born at 
Birmingham, Eng., Dec. 25, '53, 
being a daughter of David and 
Jane James. She came to Amer- 
ica when four years of age and 
lived with her parents at Brook- 
lyn for ten years. Her father 
was an iron moulder by trade. 
She was several years a member 
of the Plymouth Church Sunday 
School. 



B82 



OCEANA COUNTY PIONKERS 



GEORGE H. EDDY — 1879. 

George H. Eddy, son of Moses and Sarah Eddy, was born in Cat- 
taraugus Co., N. Y., Oct. 9, 
1837. He was for two years 
a soldier serving in Co. D, 33d 
N. Y. Inf. Since leaving the 
army he has taken a great in- 
terest in anything that con- 
cerned the soldiers. He was 
Post Coininander of Shields 
Post No. 68, at Shelby, dur- 
ing 1889. Previous to 1879 
he followed the business of a 
mechanic, but in that year he 
came to Oceana County and 
began farming for a living, 

^ which he has since followed. 

"", Married in 1863 to Emily A. 

, Lang, and now has three chil- 
dren, two sons and a daugh- 
ter. 




G. H. EDDY. 



CHARLES E. 

Charles E. Converse was 
born in Monroe Co., N. Y., 
Oct. 14, 1841. His parents' 
names were Joseph E. and 
Sarah Converse. He came to 
Oceana Co. April 15, 1879, 
and located in Ferry town- 
ship on Sec. 8. He has been 
a successful school teacher 
having taught in all thirty 
terms in N. Y. and Mich. On 
Nov. 15, 1865, he married 
Lucy McLouth, and they 
have had born to them eight 
children, seven sons and one 
daughter. Mr. Converse has 
held the positions of Justice 



CONVERSE— 1879. 




C. E. CONVERSE. 



AND BUSINESS MEN OP TO-DAV. 



383 



of the Peace and Superintendent of Schools. He is a nian well 
known in the county where he also has many friends. He is one of 
tho.se who has added his brain and muscle to the development of 
the county, now pos.sessing a good home showing signs of thrift and 
enterprise. 

CHARLES A. GURNEY— 1879. 

Charles A. Gurney was born in Geaugr. Co., Ohio, June 0, 1853, 
his parents being A. D. and Mary Gurney. In 18.54 he came with 
his parents to Tuscola Co., Mich. He attended the Tuscola High 
School, paying his way by 
teaching winters and graduat- 
ing at the head of his class. 
In 1879 he came to Oceana 
Co. and taught school for his 
support while studying law. 
Was admitted to the bar 
June 26, 1881. Hewaselect- 
ed Circuit Court Commission- 
er in 1882, and again 1881. 
Has also been Township 
Clerk. On Dec. 11, 1888, he 
was married to Carrie M. Wig- 
ton, and now rejoices in the 
title of pater familias, having 
recently'been presented with 
a son. He is a leading mem- 
ber of the Masonic and Odd c. a. gurney. 
Fellows' orders and Sons of Veterans' Camp. Whatever he under- 
takes he puts his strength into and pushes to the front. At present 
lie is proprietor of a drug store at Hart. 




DAXIKL H. RANKIN— 18(9. 

Daniel H. Rankin was boi-n in Dundee, Province of (Quebec, Cana- 
da, July 12, 1831, being a son of Hugh and Jeimette Rankin. At an 
early age he moved with his parents to London, Ont., where he re- 
mained until I860, at which time he came to ISIichigan, settling at 
Mar(]uette. Here he engaged in the manufacture of charcoal, which 
V)usiness with others he has continued to follow to thejjresent time. 
jNIr. Rankin came to Shelby, Oceana Co., in 1879, where he still re- 
sides. Since living at Shelby he has been engaged in the business of 
making charcoal for the Spring Lake Iron Co., making an average 
of 90,000 bushels a month at the kilns at Shelby and INIears. He 
's also a member of the fn-m of Rankin Sz Dewey, at Shelby, doing a 



384 



OCEANA COUNTY PIONEERS 




5; i~^Ji^ > tt^ 



general merchandise business . 
Mr. Rankin was married Sep. 
22, 1867, to Christie Rankin, 
who was born in Montreal, 
Can., Oct. 21, 1838. They 
now have six children, Kittie, 
now Mrs. Geo. E. Dewey, An- 
gus D., Daniel D., Jessie, now 
Mrs. F. W. Wilson, Burt J., 
and Mary, all of of whom are 
residing at Shelby. They 
have lost one child by death, 
Duncan, born Sept. 26,1865, 
who died Oct. 12, 1867. 



^^'-^^^'^ 



D. H. RAXKIX. 




OSCAR H. DEAN— 1879. 

Oscar H. Dean, son of Henry and Calystia Dean, was born in De- 
troit, Mich., Au;:;;. 6, 1836. When two years of age he moved with 
his parents to Grand Rapids, Mich., where he made his home until 
l!-5s, when he moved to Ionia, 



where he was engaged for three 
yt'Mi's \n running a dry goods 
store. Enlisted Aug. 1, 1861, as 
private in Co. A, 21st Mich. Inf.; 
was soon after transferred to 
Quartermaster's Dept. as Ser- 
geant, and served until Dec. 31, 
1861, when he was discharged (!'' 

for disability. He then returned ^^ - ^ 
to Grand Rapids and engaged in ^p 
a Gents' furnishing establish- ^ 
ment. Continued about one ~ 
year in that business, then went 
to Ionia and was in busmess 
there until Sept., 1879, when he 
came to Pentwater, where he en- o. h. dean. 

gaged in business for the Pent- 
water Lumber Co., afterwards buying the stock and running the 
busmess for himself until 1886, when he sold to F. 0. Gardner. Mr. 



.-^^ 



AND BUSINESS .MliN OF TU-IJAY 



385 



Dean was- Village Trustee of Ionia for four yeai's. Has been .Justice 
of tlie Peace and Village Trustee at Prntwater. and in July, 1887, 
was appointed Postmaster, which position he held until June 1, 
1890. He is in all respects a perfect ticntlenian and has numerous 
friends in the county. Married, Dec. 23, 1861, to Miss Alice J. 
Johnson, of Ionia, a daui>hter of Eth.m S. and Jane B. Johnson, he 
hein^ a prominent man in that localiry. Mr. and ?*Irs. Dean are 
prominently identilicd with tiic E[)is(Oi),il SucieLy and are known 
as active workers. i\Ir. Dean is also an active Mason, one of the 
Past Masters of Oceana Lodge No. 2Ui>. 



CHARLKS V>-. .7AY— 1 8(1. 

Ciiarles W. Jay, whose portrait ax^pears below, was a man of re- 
markable intellectual ability, and wlio ilurinc; a residence in the Co. 
extending over a period of af)Our twelve years, was a prominent 
character, although he did not achieve success in his chosen occu- 
pation, farming and fruit raisiuL'. He was born in New Jersey in 
1815. He thus describes his 
early life: '• 'I was born of 
poor but respectable par- 
ents.' My father was a shoe- 
maker, and waxed poorer 
and poorer with the yearly 
increase of his family, until 
he could hardly make both 

ends meet. His sole means /../.■ 

•<'■■ 
of support was his trade, at /^ 

which he hammered away 

day and night, in order to 

get the upper hand of the 

hard necessity that tacks'd 

all his energies. At last, by 

unrelieved confinement, he 

was assailed by a stitch in 

the side, the thread of life 

parted asunder, and my 

worthy progenitor paid the c. w. jay. 

only debt that he could not 

elude by the statute of limitations— the deljt of Nature. 

My father's semi-occasional treatment of my.^elf affords a strik- 
ing illustration of the law of cause and effect. The only positive 
recreation in which he indulged, was in treating me to 'black-sfrap,' 
that he might stirrup my naturally slu;:^4i-h te-mperament. And be- 




386 OCEANA COUNTY PIONEERS 

hold the result, a''ter I arrived to man's estate, the only real free- 
hold I ever held or inherited! Searcelj' a month has jiassed, in all 
the years since, in which I have not found myself completely 'strap- 
ped!' At the age of ten years I commenced the battle of life, with 
feeble hands, and a rebellious heart. I became a 'bearer-ofE' in a 
brickyard, at four dollars per month, finding my own boardl The 
work was hard, very hard, and the memory of those long and bit- 
ter days, in which my little hands were never without great, pain- 
ful blisters, and my young heart became hourly more calloused in 
its sfiisibiiities, is not a i)icture to look upon with pleasure, or even 
uith that indifference to past suffering, which time so humanely 
softens down in the recollection of those who have passed through 
deejj and troubled waters. All through the long summer months, 
from (lawn of day to the evening twilight of the same, did I carry 
the tempered clay in the moulds, bending down to deposit the green 
brick.s upon the smooth fioor of the yard, without rest or intermis- 
sion, save a little half hour for a cold dinner, until back and heart 
■were alike broken, and the spirit of my young life drunken up with 
silent and unavailing sorrow." 

Mr. Jay became an editor and a public speaker of note in the 
East. He was successful in both undertakings, but failing to real- 
ize his ambitious longings he was cast down and afterwards used 
his rem:ii kable abilities more as a diversion than with any practi- 
cal end i.i view. He came to Oceana County and settled in Benona 
near whar is known as Sammons' Landing, and engaged in clearing 
up his la id and farming, afterwards turning his attention to fruit 
raising, ia which, from his own account, he was not successful. 
From his advent into the county, although living with his family 
miles dis ant from any settlement, he soon became a noted person- 
age. Articles from his trenchant and humorous pen appeared in 
the local papers, and O, P. Dildock (his nam de plume) soon had a 
reputation as a humorist and critic extendingfar beyond the limits 
of the county. The writer of this was j)ersonally acquainted with 
him, and upon a visit to his home was royally entertained and en- 
joyed a rare intellectual treat. He was an eloquent speaker upon 
any subject, political or moral, and his services upon the platform 
were often in demand. His conversation and his writings, however, 
all indicate a disappointed ambition. In appearance he resembled 
greatly Horace Greeley, and many of his personal attrilnites re- 
minded one of the great editor. He married in 1841. Mrs. C. A. 
Sessions, of Benona, Mrs. Alice J. Sundt, of Washington, and Chas. 
Jay, of Benona, are his children. On Sunday, Dec. 7, 188J, Mr. 
Jay passed over the silent river and his faithful wife and compan- 
ion followed him within an hour's time on the same day. 



AND BUSINESS MKX OF TO-DAV. 



387 




DANIEL S. RAN'KIN— 1880. 

Daniel S. Rankin was born 
in Lower Canada, Dec. 13, 
1853. His parents were Sam- 
uel and Jennette Rankin. He 
came to Oceana Co. in 1880, 
and located at New Era in 
general merchandise business. 
In 'b3 he removed to Shelby 
where lie is now located. In 
July, '•-i"', he married Miss 
Jennie Willson. Mr. Rankin 
is now interested in the livery 
business with his cousin Dun- 
can J. Rankin under the linn : 
name of D. J. Rankin & Co.; 
also indruj^ business, the firm 
being D. S. Rankin tt Co. He 
is also interested in the old 
Elliott House, which has been 
recently repaired and general- 
ly renovated. He came to 
Oceana Co. a comparatively 
poor man and by hard labor, 

honesty and economy has accumulated a comfortable fortune. 
He is known as one of Shelby's most enterprising and energetic cit- 
izens. 

FRANK E. REAMER— 1880. 

Frank E. Reamer was huiii a:- 
Orwell, Oswego Co., N. Y.. Xov. 
26, 1852, being a sonot William 
H. and Lucy P. Reamer. He 
came to Oceana Co. in Sep., '80, 
seven montlis after his parents, 
and settled in Shelby village 
where he still makes his home. 
He is engaged in general mason 
work and building, and is a very 
successful workman in that bu- 
siness, upright, honorable and 
possessed of the confidence of 
the pul)!ic. He is a leading mem- 
ber of Shell)y Lodge No. Sli, I. 
O. O. F., one of its Past Grands, 



D. S. RANKIN. 




■^>ir- rilr^^K^- 



388 



OCEANA COUNTY PIONEERS 



and Representative to the Grand Lodge. He is never wearyfof 
working for the growth and advancement of the order, which is 
gaining in influence and membership. "Frank," as his neighbors 
all call him, is by hard work and his gen"al treatment ot those with 
whom becomes in contact building up a substantial business and 
creating a wide circle of friends. Has been Constable and Deputy 
Sheriff. Married, Feb. 18, '84, to Miss Ida L. Loomis, and now has 
three children, two sons and one daughter. 



IRA A. RICHMOND— 1880. 

Ira A. Richmond was born in DeKalb Co., Ind., April 10, 18.59. 
His parents" names were William and Marie Richmond. He came 
to this county in '80, and with his parents settled upon the farm he 

now owns on .Sec. \'S, town- 
ship of Golden. This is one 
of the finest farms in the 
township, and since his ftith- 
er's decease, which occurred 
several years since, has been 
under the management and 
control of the subject of our 
sketch. Before going upon 
this farm, while in Indiana, 
;\Ir. Richmond was engaged in 
the mercantile business. He 
is a prominent Odd Fellow 
and held in high esteem by 
the order. Dec. 11, lirTO, he 
married Ida L. Portner. The 
, ,, a .^gsp \\ j^c;^^ -\\ union was a happy one and 

p!''^ '• ■^:. \ r^!^^ ,/ . one son and one daughter 

' ^-'■-' "■■ '■ -' .■'.i^pf ... have been born to them. ]Mr. 

Richmond, while nOt a pio- 
I. A. Ririi.MONi). neer, has done much to im- 

prove the standard of farm- 
ing in the <'oniity. and always takes a lively interest in those things 
that tend to ini[)rove the condition of farmers. 

F. L. PECK— 1880. 

F. Tj. Peck was horn at Lancaster, Ei-ie Co., N. Y., Jan. 8, 1^41. 
He is ; lie second sun and fourth child of Joseph and Mary A. Peck, 
the former a native of Vermont, the latter of New York State. His 
father was a cai-nenter and worked on the mill at Stony Creek for 
Minard it Conklin.! in '6.'}; liis family living in DeKalb Co., 111., from 




AND BUSINESS MKN OF TO-DAY, 



389 



'oJ: to 'G4, when they remov- 
ed to Grand Rapids, thence 
to New York 'State where he 
died Mar. 10, '71. The sub- 
ject of our sketch was in the 
employ of C. C. Comstock at 
Grand Rapids three years, a 
member of the firm of Konkle 
& Peck, wooden ware and 
handles, at Caledonia, Kent 
Co., for ten years. On Dec. 
31, '70, he was married to 
Esther C. Lane, who was born 
Aug. 27, "53, at Spi'ing Lake, 
Ottawa Co. They have two 
children, Florence M., born 
Nov. 22, '71, and Claud F., 
born Dec. 4, '77. Mr. Peck 
is a leading member of the 
Odd Fellows and an energetic 
business man, being now a 

member of the firm of Cutler & Peck, liandle manufact 
business at Shelby. 




F. L. PECK. 



urers doing 




DENNIS HINCHIN — 1880. 

Dennis Hinchin, son of 
John and Mary Hinchin, 
was born in the (;ity of Que- 
bec, Can. When five years 
of age he came to tlie United 
States. He is another of 
our old soldiers, having en- 
listed in Co. B, 97tli N. Y. 
Inf., in Nov., '61, and serv- 
ing unt'il June 23, '(55. He 
was wounded at Spottsyl- 
vania, Va., and taken pris- 
oner May 8, '<54. and re- 
mained in rebel prisons un- 
til exchanged March 4, '65. 
:^^ He came from Ijewis Co.,N. 
Y., to this county in 1880 
^ [,. , and located upon a farm 
fjfj^ C^^ near New Era, where he still 
I'esides. He has held the 



f 



390 



OCEANA COUNTY PIONEERS 



offices of Constable and Highway Commissioner. Was married in 
Pittston, Penn., in '72, and has five children, sons. Mr. Hinchin is 
possessed of many friends and all speak of him in the highest terms. 

MRS. CLAKINA E. COON— 1880. 



Mrs. Clarina E. Coon was an Edwards, a descendant of Alex. Ed- 
wards, who emigrated from Wales in 1640 and settled in Spring- 
field, Mass. His son Nathaniel, born June 25, 1657. His son, Na- 
thaniel Jr., V)orn July 26, 1694. His son, Ebenezer, born April, 
1727. His soil, Alanson, born Jan., J 766. Clarina, his dtiughter, 
born Feb. 23, lS10,in Skeneatles, N. Y. Her mother was Elizabeth 
McKay. Clarina was a twin, the youngest (but one) of eleven chil- 
dren. Married Artemas Weaver, Oct. 7, 1^30, who died Feb. 23, 

1836, by whom she had two 
daughters. Electa Edwards 
and Jane Eliza. Jane Eliza 
died when ten months old. 
She married J. V. R. Coon 
April 21, 1840, who died Sep. 
11, 1874, by whom she had 
one son, Edward F. For 
many years she resided in the 
immediate vicinity of her 
birthplace, Skeneatles, N. Y. 
In after life she made her 
home with her daughter. Elec- 
ta Edwards, wife of C. A. 
Hawley, in Chicago. Since 
about the year 18^0, she has 
resided in Shelby, making her 
home with her daughter, and 
her son, E. F. Coon. Grand- 
ma Coon has the honor of making four generations in one family: 
herself, Mrs. C. A. Hawley, her daughter; E. W. Hawley, her grand- 
son, and Frankie, her great-grandson. She was eighty years old 
the 23rd day of Feb., 1890. Has one sister three years her sen- 
ior. Her brother, Thaddeus Edwards, died in Skeneatles, N. Y., 
May 8, 1890, aged 95 years and 5 months. From her youth she 
has been a very useful Christian woman. Almost a natural nurse, 
she has been with the sick night and day assisting to save the lives 
of many. Always interested in the reforms of the day. Once an 
assistant agent at a station on the underground R. R. to run slaves 
into Canada. Notwithstanding her advanced age she enjoys good 




MRS. C. E. COON. 



AND BUSINESS MEN OP TO-DAY. 391 

health. Yery intelhgent and interesting, is good company and has 
a host of friends. 

HENRY HAKTER— 1880. 

Henry Harter was born in Harmony, Chautauqua Co., N. Y., in 
1815, and lived there until the age of ten years, when he moved 
with his parents to Crawford Co., Penn. Parents' names are Jared 
L. and Cynthia E. Harter. He is the eldest of seven cliildren all of 
whom are living at present writing. Was married in l!^69 to Eliza- 
beth Turner, daughter of Leland and Sarah Turner. Has five chil- 
dren, one son and four daughters. Came to Oceana Co. in 1880; 
bought eighty acres of land on section one, township of Claybanks. 
Moved into the woods and had to chop and clear away a i)lace to 
build a house. Began to build in April, 18S1, and had to shovel 
away three feet of snow to set down blocks to set a house uj)on 
and moved in before windows or doors were hung; might almost be 
classed as a pioneer. He has now about fifty acres down, and 28 
of it cleared. Has set out 125 apple and 75 peach trees. 

HENRY L. HODGES— 1880. 

Henry L. Hodges was born at Watertown, N. Y., June 10, 1811, 
and is a son of Stephen and INIary Hodges. On Ajiril 7, 1880. he 
came to Oceana Co. and purchased a farm described as the north 
half of the southeast quarter of Sec. 30, of the township of Elbridge. 
Here he has continued to reside and has improved it until now he 
has 10 acres under cultivation with three acres of orchard and good 
comfortable farm buildings. He is an old soldier, having seen ser- 
vice in Co. H, 1st N. Y. Light Art. one year, and as Captain in Co. 
G, 14th N. Y. Heavy Art. two years and three months. He has 
been two years Highway Commissioner of his township. INIarried 
Nov. 29. 1859, to Lucy Campbell, by whom he had twelve children, 
nine sons and three daughters. He had the mi.sfortune to lose his 
wife in June, 1882. 

MARION L. FERRIS— 1882. 

Marion L. Ferris was born in Broome Co., N. Y., April 30, 1854, 
being a son of Albert G. and Betsey (Conklin) Ferris. In Nov., '80, 
he came to this county and jjurchased a farm in the townshiiJ of 
Shelby, two and one-lialf miles from Shelby village. This he clear- 
ed up and resided on same until Oct., '88, when he came to Shelby 
and engaged in selling merchandise, where he has since continued. 
On Nov. 3, '80, was married to Miss Addie M. Kibbe, a daughter of 
David J. and Rachel B. (Cotton) Kibbe, who was born May 5, '60, 
in Potter Co., Penn. She has always been a faithful, loving wife 



392 



OCEAXA COUNTY PIONEERS 



and fond mother and is justly jproud of her two boys, aged respect- 
ively eight and six years. 

HENRY J. SERVIS— 1881. 

Henry J. Servis, son of Thomas and Mary Servis, was born in 
Lower Canada in 1840. He came to Oceana Co. in May, '81, and 
has since resided at Hart, where he has been engaged as a carpenter 

and builder. In former years 
he followed sailing and ship- 
building for a livelihood. At 
present he is engaged in the 
pump business. Mr. Servis 
has been noted for his great 
interest in Odd Fellowship, 
having joined Sacarisa Lodge 
No. 307, at Lewiston, N. Y., 
in 1874 and transferred by 
card to Oceana Lodge No. 
327, at Hart in '83. Became 
a member of Hart Encamp- 
ment No. 12, in '84. In both 
of these societies he has held 
numerous offices and is now 
a P. G. and P.C. P. Married 
in '61 to Mfitilda Russell and 
has four children, three sons 
and one daughter. 




H. J. SERVIS. 



HENRY W. HARPSTER 

Henry W. Harpster was 
born at Delta, Eaton Coun- 
ty, Mich., May 16, 1856, be- 
ing the youngest child of Eliz- 
abeth and Daniel Harpster, 
is of German descent. Lived 
on his father's farm until he 
Avas 16 years of age. He re- 
ceived his education at the 
Charlotte Union School and 
Olivet College. Commenced ; 
the study of law in '79 with 
Hon. D. P. Sagendorph, of 
Charlotte, Mich. Finished 
his legal education at the law 
department of the Michigan 



-1881. 




AND BUSINKSS MEN OF TO-DAY. 



393 



State University. Came to Oceana County in the summer of '81. 
Was married to Carrie M. Darling in Oct., 'b3. Went to Shelby and 
commenced the practice of law in the spring of '85. Continued to 
pi'actice at Shelby until Jan., '89, when he moved to Pentwater and 
associated with W. E. Ambler, where he now lives. He has been 
successful, as a rule, in his cases, and may justly be considered as 
one of the best read hxwyers of the county. 



LELAND C. BREWSTER— 1881. 

Leland C. Brewster was born in Mansfield, Tioga Co., Pa., Aug. 
15, '50. His XDaients were Luther H. and Olive P. Brewster. The 
subject of our sketch has followed farming the greater jpart of his 
life. July 20, '69, he married Victoria E. Watkins, in Tioga Co. 
They have had three daughters. 
Minnie E., one of them, is now 
the wife of Ervie Cleveland and 
resides at Crystal Valley. Nov. 
3, '81, Mr. Brewster came to 
Oceana Co. to unite his fortunes 
with the other residents of this 
Co. For the past six years he 
has presided over the destinies 
of Crystal Valley's only hotel, 
the "Brewster House." He is 
much attached to the doctrines 
taught by Odd Fellowship and 
follows their precepts. He is a 
member of the Crystal Valley 
Lodge in which organization he 
has just completed a term of of- 
fice as its Permanent Secretary. 

A jovial, good-hearted, level-headed gentleman, long may he exist 
to cheer the weary and refresh the hungry. 




L. C. BREWSTER. 



CHARLES E. ABRAHAM— 1881 . 

Charles E. Abraham, son of William H. and Elizabeth Abraham, 
was born at Edinboro, Pa., Jan. 11, 1861 . He came to this coun- 
ty Sept. 15, '81, locating at Shelby, where he has since resided, en- 
gaged in carpenter work summers and teaching winters, excepting 
the winter of '66-7, spent in Kansas City, Mo. By hard and un- 
ceasing labor he has succeeded in making for himself and family as 
nice a home as any could wish, comprising an acre and a half on 
the main thoroughfare of Shelby, with a large comfortable house, 
and the grounds covered with fruit of all kinds. Since coming to 



394 



OCEANA COUNTY PIONEERS 




Shelby he has had an unfortu- 
nate and sad experience in the 
death of both parents, who lie 
buried in the Shelby cemetery. 
Mr. Abraham is an active mem- 
ber of the M. E. Society. Also 
of Shelby Lodge No. 344, I. 0. 
O. F., in which he takes great in- 
terest, and in which he has held 
all the imi^ortant offices, being 
now Noble Grand. Married Nov. 
2, '83, to Miss Ella Shirts. Two 
daughters have blessed their 
union. 



C. E. ABRAHAM. 



FRANK E. YOUNG— 1881. 

F]"ank E. Young, one of the successful educators of Oceana Coun- 
ty, was born to J. A. and E. 
E. Young, at Lodi, Columbia 
Co., Wis., Aug. 17, 1858. He 
received a good education 
and since Sept. 20, '81, has 
been engaged in school teach- 
ing. He has been principal of 
the Hart Union Schools for 
several years, giving the best 
of satisfaction. He came to 
this county in '81, and has 
held, in the county, the offices 
of School Inspector, and 
Chairman of the Co. Board 
of School Examiners. Sept. 
24, '78, he was happily mar- 
ried to Miss Sarah E. Hol- 
comb. Mr. Young is a gen- 
tleman of sterling principles, 
and in his daily life commands 
the respect of all who know 
him. He takes a lively interest in all matters j)ertaining to intel- 




F. E. Y'OUNG. 



AND BUSINESS MEN OF TO-UAY. 



395 



lectual improvement, and is regarded as one of the first educators 
of tlie county. 

WILLIAM E. MERRILL— 1879. 

William E.Merrill was born in 
Springfield Co., Maine, Feb 14, 
1853. Removed to Rock Coun- 
ty, Wis., with his parents in '69, 
and in '79 came to Oceana Co., 
where he has since resided. The 
first five yeai's of his life in Oce- 
ana Co. was spent in the employ 
of Sands tt Maxwell as Night 
Watchman. Since that time he 
has been employed on a fruit 
farm of his own, and growinti 
fruits of all kinds, for which occu- 
pation he has a natural aptitude, 
even while a boy growing straw- 
berries which one year netted 
him .$150. He was married in 
'81 to Mrs. Anna Messeni^er, who w. e. merrill. 





was born in Wood Co., Ohio, 
May 15, '52, removing to 
Oceana Co. in '79. 



MRS. W. E. -MERRILL. 



396 



OCEANA COUNTY PIONEERS 



ED^VARD H. CUTLER— 1881. 

Edward H. Cutler was born in Westminster, Canada, July 21, 

'50. His parents' names were 
David and Sarah Cutler. He 
settled in Shelby in '81, and 
engaged in the manufacture 
of lumber. In '87 he com- 
menced manufacturing 
broom-handles in company 
■with F. L. Peck, and has 
made a success of the busi- 
ness. He is regarded as a 
good, safe business man and 
a public spirited citizen. He 
has served four years as Vil- 
lage Trustee, is a prominent 
Odd Fellow and has held 
many offices in the order. To 
his energy is largelj' due the 
organizing and maintenance 
of an efficient Fire Depart- 
ment in Shelby. Jan. 1, '71, 
B. H. CUTLER. he was married to Miss Mary 
C. Knowlton, and two daughters have been born to them. 




CYRUS B. .STEVENS— 1881. 



Cj'rus B. Stevens was born at 
Avon, Lorain Co., Ohio, Jan. 9, 
'50. He is a son of Ransom F. 
and Finetta M. Stevens. After 
attending common schools until 
the age of seventeen he attended 
school at Oberlin, Ohio, and 
Hillsdale, Mich., from '67 to '70. 
Like many other young men he 
then engaged in teaching, at the 
same time studying law. He 
continued this until '80, when 
he engaged in the practice of the 
law. On May 6, '81, he came to 
Oceana Co., locating at Hart, 
where in '82 he formed a copart- 
nership with Hon. T. S. Gurney. 
He remained with Mr. Gurney 




Wi^'^' 



AND BUSINESS MEN OF TO-DAY, 



397 



until '85, when his healtli tailing he went South where he remained 
until '86. In that year he returned to Hart and has since been en- 
gaged there in the law business. On Au£;. 5, '75, he was married to 
Miss Addie Drinkall. They have no children. Mr. Stevens has won 
the esteem of those with whom he has come in contact. He has 
been Township Superintendent of Schools three years, Justice of 
the Peace three j-ears and Prosecuting Attorney of this county four 
years. As Prosecutor he was always ready and prompt in the dis- 
charge of his duties. As a genial gentleman he has many friends 
and few enemies. 

MARION FRANK HYDE — 1881. 

]\Iarion Frank Hyde was born in Royalton township), Berrien Co., 
Mich., Nov. 21, 1858, his parents' names being ^John V. and Cath- 
erine M. Parmenter. His mother died Feb. 9, 1861, at Berrien 
Si^rings, and he was adopted 
by John W. and Rebecca L. 
Hyde, April 11, '61. In the 
fall of '62 he removed with 
his adopted parents to Val- 
paraiso, Ind., where he at- 
tended school. In the fall of 
'71 the family removed to 
Muskegon and in 1876 to 
Leslie, Ingham Co. In Nov., 
'81, he came to Oceana Co., 
and Jan. 29, '82, entered the 
Pentwater News' employ as a 
job printer. He soon came 
to be known as a first class 
pressman and was given 
charge of the press work of 
the office, which position he 

held with scarcely a day's .m. f. hyde. 

loss of time until May 3, '90. IMr. Hyde belongs to the Odd Fel- 
lows' order. Subordinate, Encampment and Rebekah lodges, and has 
passed all the chairs in both Encampment and Subordinate lodges. 
May 27, '83, he was married to Mary Isabel Grant, of Pentwater, 
who was a compositor in the News office, and who had been a faith- 
ful emj)loye of the office since May 26, '71, and who still continues 
as head compositor of the office. Two children, a daughter, 
Beatrice, and son, Harold Frank, have been born to them. 




DAVID J. HILL— 1882. 

David J. Hill is the son of Graham and Deborah Hill, and was 



398 



OCEANA COUNTY PIONEERS 




D. J. HILL. 



born in Canada, April 13, 1829. 
He came to this county March 
25, '82, becoming a resident of 
Elbridse township, where he en- 
gaged in farming. He soon be- 
came quite pron)inent in the af- 
fairs of the township and has 
been elected and served the 
township acceptably as Treasu- 
rer and Supervisor. Nov. 29, 
'52, he married Mary J. Bolton, 
which union has been happily 
blessed with three sons and five 
daughters. Mr. Hill is a pleas- 
ant gentleman whom one delights 
to meet and to know. He is 
pleasantly situated and com- 



mands the esteem and respect of his neighbors. 



W. H. FLEMING— 1882. 

W. H. Fleming was born at Romulus, Seneca Co., N. Y., July 3, 
1837. Oct. 8, '44, he moved with his parents to North Adrian, 
Mich., where he resided the most of the time until '59. In that year 
he went to Ypsilanti, where a 
part of the time he attended 
school, expecting to fit him- 
self for teaching, but the war 
breaking out he decided to 
offer his services to the Gov- 
ernment. He enlisted in Co. 
K, 1st Mich. Inf., and at the 
first battle of Bull Ivun, July 
21, '61, was taken prisoner 
He was held as a i^risoner ->i>zx'/ 
of war by the Confederates-, '^^^mr^t A. '"'-- "^''^^^BkNiv 
ten montlis when he was ex- 
changed, mustered out and .^^^^^^'^^^y 7^^ ///If 
came home. On Dec. 30, 62, •^'^^^^^^^C^~^ / v^^^; 
he was married to Emily H " ^^^^^^ifev I y^^ ''^'■' ^■•£' 
Crane, of Ypsilanti. The fol- 
lowing year, on Oct. 10, he 
again enlisted, this time in w. h. Fleming. 

Co. H, 11th Mich. Vol. Cav., 
and was mustered in as first Sergeant. He was severely wounded 




AND BUSINESS MEN OF TO-DAY. 



399 



at the battle of Saltville, Va., in Sept., '64, and again received a 
slight wound at Marion, Va., in Dec, '64. He was mustered out 
Aug. 10, '65, and returned home. He then for thirteen years resid- 
ed in Bay Co., holding the office of Supervisor in tliat county seven 
years. Sept. 1, '82, he came to Oceana Co. and is now serving his 
fourth term as Sujoervisor of Benona, where he has resided since. 

ALEXANDER PATON— 1882. 



Alexander Paton was born at 
Galston, Scotland, Dec. 22, '48. 
He is a son of David and Chris- 
tian (Woodburn) Paton. He 
first saw Oceana Co. in 1870, be- 
fore the railroad was built, and 
pux'chased land near Shelby. He 
came permanently in '82 and 
located at Shelby. In business 
he followed farming until '75. 
After coming to Shelby engaged 
with H. L. Andrus in mercantile 
business which they continued 
for about six years, then going 
into their present business, saw 
and planing mill, under the firm 
name of Paton & Andrus, and 
doing a good business. Married 
Oct. 20, '70, Hattie M. Wilson. 

No children. Mr. Paton has many good qualities and a host of 
friends and has done his share toward the prosperity of Shelby. 




A. PATON. 



GEORGE O. SWITZER— 1882. 

George O. Switzer, son of George H. and Mary J. Switzer, was 
born March 8, 1854, at North East, Erie Co., Pa. Lived there with 
his iDarents until '60, when the family came to Barry Co., Mich. 
There he resided with his parents upon a farm, attending high school 
at Hastings, until he reached man's estate, when he started out for 
himself. He taught school two winters in Barry and two winters 
in Lake County. Had some experience in pioneer life in Lake Coun- 
ty, having done more or loss work in the lumber woods. In '76 he 
began the study of medicine at Cedar Creek, ^lich., and in '81 grad- 
uated from the Bennett Medical College, of Chicago. Located at 
Ludington in the si:)ring of '81, and the following year removed to 



400 



OCEANA COUNTY PIONEERS 




Pentwater where he has since 
followed his j)i'ofession, hav- 
ing a large jDractice. He is a 
prominent member of the I. 
O. O. F. fraternity and is a 
Past Grand of Pentwater 
Lodge No. 378. He has been 
Health Officer of Pentwater 
township and vUlage for a 
nnniber of years and is at 
present a member of the 
School Board. Married Aug. 
25, '76, to Miss Addie Morth- 
land. One daughter, Allie, 
comprises their family. 



G. O. SWITZER. 



ORSON F. WICKHAM— 1882. 

Orson F. Wickham, son of George and Susan A. Wiekham, was 
born in Orleans Co., N. Y., Feb. 18, 1864. He came to this county 
in Sept., '82, and in October 
began woi'k for Sands & Max- 
well as book-keeper at Homer 
Lake, where he continued un- 
til Nov., '84, when he came 
to Pentwater. On Jan. 1, 
'85, he commenced as head 
book-keeper for the same firm 
in their Pentwater office, and 
is still engaged Nvith them. 
The length of time spent with 
this firm shows the satisfac- 
tion given by Mr. Wickham 
in one of the, if not the most, 
busy olfice in the county. 
The duties are arduous and 
require constant attention. 
Mr. W. is always at his post; 
when absent it can always be 
presumed that he or his fam- 
ily are sick. He was married Sept. 12, '86, to Miss Etta Webb, a 
daughter of William and Esther Webb, old residents of Pentwater. 
They now have one child, a daughter. 




O. F. WICKHA:Nr. 



AND BL'SIXESS MEN OF TO-DAV. 



401 



BEXJAMIX F. STONE— 1882. 

Benjamin F. Stone was born in Ciinada, Feb. 22, 1848, his par- 
ents being Andrew and Ann Stone. He came to Michigan in 1865 
and in May, 1867 was married to Alice Winegar, of Kent Co. In 
1882 he came to this county and woiked at his trade and at mill 
work at Pentwater and Crystal Valley, finally locating at Walker- 
ville. He is now engaged in the furniture and undertaking busmess 
at that jilace. He is the father of five children, two sons and three 
daughters. Mr. Stone, while at Crystal Valley, was elected to the 
offices of Justice and Township Clerk, and at Walkerville has been 
a leader among the Odd Fellows. He is a charter member of the 
Stetson Lodge and was its first Noble Grand. He is deserving of 
and undoubtedly will secure a good trade in his new venture. 

BENJAMIN C. KNAPP— 1882. 

Beniamin C. Knapp, a son of William Knapp, was born in New 
Yoi'k, Sept. 25, 1828. He had been engaged in lumbering before 
coming to this county; but in June, L882, came here and located in 
Golden near INIears Station, and at once began tiie culture of fruit. 
He now has a fine fruit orchard and each year gathers in the shek- 
els from his peaches. Married Feb. 5, 1848, Elizabeth Harnier, 
and has had nine children, five sons and four daughters. Mv. 
Knapp has been Director of his school district and is a man pos- 
sessing the confidence and respect of his neighbors. 

FRANKLIN A. SCOTT--1S83. 



Franklin A. Scott was born 
at Stockholm, St. Lawrence 
Co., N. Y., Dec. 29, 1832. 
His parents were Ozias and 
Lucinda Scott. Mr. Scott 
left the State of New York in 
'53 and came to Barry Co., 
Mich. First came to Oceana 
Co. in '63, but remained here 
only a short time when he re- ... 
turned to Barry Co. In '67 .^ 
he came to Muskegon Co. and ^^ 
again to Oceana Co. in 18b3, ^^' 
locating at Shelby where he "^ ;. 
has since resided. He was 
drafted into service in the re- 
bellion, but was not assigned 




F. A. SCOTT. 



402 



OCEANA CXDUNTY PIONEERS 



to any company or regiment, but did duty in commissary depart- 
ment until discharged. Previous to coming here he was engaged at 
different times in selling goods, and farming. Since residing at Shel- 
by he has been manager for the Shelby Furniture Co., a furniture 
and undertaker's establishment. He has been twice married, first 
in St. Lawrence Co., N. Y., to Harriet M. White, bj'^ whom he had 
a son, and second at Shelby, to Emma Williams by whom he has 
one child. He has held the office of County Coroner, and is a mem- 
ber of Whitehall Lodge No. 138, D. of R., No. 58, Hart Encamp- 
ment No. 12, and Canton Gurney No. 14, I. O. O. F., and Benona 
Lodge No. 289 F. & A. M. Mr. Scott is a man possessing a great 
many personal friends, a good business man and a leader in what- 
ever he undertakes. 



OTTO GRANT— 187.5. 

Otto Grant was born in Sweden, Europe, Dec. 12, 1840, his par- 
ents' names being Niels and Caroline Grant. He early in life be- 
came a sailor and in 185.5 went to South America as such. He has 

with the exception of a few 
short intervals, followed that 
occupation since. He has 
visited England, Germany, 
France, Denmark, Spain, It- 
aly, China, East and West 
Indies, South America and 
California. Has been master 
of a vessel fourteen j'earsand 
at the present time is master 
of the steamer Saugatuck, 
plying between Pent water 
and Chicago.. He is regarded 
as one of the best captains 
on the lakes. May 17, '69, he 
... married Mary E. Ka'hler, and 
8 children have been born to 
them, seven of whom are liv- 
ing. He is prominent in both 
the Masonic and Odd Fellow 
orders. In the latter he has 
passed the prmcipal chairs 
and been Representative to the Grand Lodge. As a citizen he is 
highly regarded, his word being accepted without question. He has 
served the township as Treasurer one term and declined a second 
nomination. 




OTTO GRANT. 



AND BUSINESS MEN OF TO-DAY. 



403 



GEORGE RHODES— 1883. 

George Rhodes was born in England in 1840. He came to Cold- 
water, Mich., when a boy; and at the breaking out of the war en- 
listed April, 1861, in Co. C, 1st Mich. Inf. He was at Ale.xandria, 
Va., with his regiment when Col. Ellsworth was shot for hauling 
down the rebel flasj. He was in 
the first battle of Bull Run, July 
21, '6J, and while taking care of 
his wounded captain, upon the 
field, was taken prisoner. He 
was kept in Southern prisons 
until the following June when he 
was exchanged and returned to 
his home in Coldwater where he 
engaged in the boot and shoe 
business. In the spring of '83 
he, withhis family cameto Hart, 
this countj% where he engaged in 
his present business. He has 
been a member of the School 
Board of Hart for six years. He 
was also one of the first Trus- 
tees of the village of Hart. He 
is now engaged in the mercantile 
business and enjoys a good trade. 




GEO. KHODES. 

He aims to please all customers 



and to give full value for all money invested at his counters. 



CHARLES H. TULLAR— 1883. 

Charles H. Tullar, the son of Simeon and Sarah Tullar, was l)orn 
Jan. 14, 1852, at Jordan, Onondaga Co., N. Y. He received an ac- 
ademic education in his native town. He was for two j-ears assist- 
ant Postmaster there. Afterwards he moved to Nashville, Tenn., 
where he served as book-keeper for the Singer Sewing Machine Co. 
From there he went to Detroit, Mich., then to Chicago, 111., finally 
came to Plainwell, Mich., where he engaged in the furniture and un- 
dertaking business with A. H. Hill. Came to Shelby, this county, 
July 2, 1883, and has since been engaged in and has successfully 
conducted a furniture and undertaking establishment at this place. 
He is married and has one daughter named Bernice. Has served 
two terms as Coroner. 

WILLIAM M. HARTWICK — 1878. 

William M. Hartwick was born at Brockville, Canada, Oct. 12, 
1824. His i)arents' names were Morris and Elinor Hartwick. He 



404 



OCEANA COUNTY PIONEERS 



moved with his x^arents to Mishawaka, Ind., when about fourteen 
years of nc'p. There he learned the tailor trade, and adopting the 
custom of young tailors at that time traveled from place to place 
working at his trade a few months in each place. It was while on 
one of these trips that he met Mary L. Wight, daughter of the first 

white settler in Jonesville, 



Thaddeus Wight, whom he 
married. He came back 
to Mishawaka and start- 
ed in business. Was reason- 
bly successful, but in '58 lost 
his property through signing 
with another. He then mov- 
ed to Kansas, staid a couple 
of years, then moved to Litch- 
field, Mich., where he kept a 
shop and was for many years 
the village tailor. From this 
point in '78 he removed to 
Oceana Co., where he has 
since resided. For several 
years he has been proprietor 
of the Pent water news agen- 
cy, and his is a familiar face 
to every resident of the vil- 
lage. The children of Wil- 
liam and Mary Hartwick are 
Louis M., at present a resident of Pentwater and editor of the 
Pentwater News; Rose Hartwick Thorpe, of San Diego, Cal., wide- 
ly known as the author of "Curfew Shall Not Ring To-night;" Her- 
bert D., a successful farmer in Weare; Mrs. Ellen Andius, wife of S. 
Andrus, farmer and fruit raiser, of Hart, and Lillie, who died at 
Pentwater, July, '»7. 




W. ]Nr. HARTWICK. 



DUSTIN C. OAKES — 1883. 

Dustin C. Oakes was born in Sherman township, St. Joseph Co., 
Mich., June 19, 1853. He is a son of David, Jr., and Mercy S. 
Oakes. His early life up to the age of eighteen years was sx)ent up- 
on a farm. His education was obtained in the common schools 
and the Agricultural College at Lansing, where he attended four 
years. Afterwards taught school and "operated" a farm for five 
years and was seven years in a bank. In '^3 he came to Shelby 
and engaged in the banking business as a member of the firm of 
Churchill Oakes & Co., acting as Cashier. He has held jjositions 



AND BUSINESS MEN OF TO-DAY. 



405 



of trust, having been for two years Supervisor of Lyons township, 
Ionia Co., Deputy Clerk of loni.a Co. one term under R. D. Sessions, 
and. is the present Village President of Shelby. As a business man 
Mr. Oakes is promj^t and energetic and the banking business under 
his management has been successful, the firm possessing the entire 
confidence of the i^ublic. Socially Mr. Oakes is without blemish, a 
courteous gentleman. He was married in 1876 to Miss Nora Kel- 
ly, and one child, a daughter, has blessed the union. 



EDMUND S. RANDALL— 188-4. 

Edmund S. Randall was born at Mon'istown, St. Lawrence Co., 
N. Y., Oct., 16, 1S45. He is a son of Silas and Sarah A. Randall. 
He moved with his x^arents 
to Kent Co., INIich., in '51, 
Avhere he remained until the 
war broke out. Nov. 19, '61, 
he enlisted as a private in Co. 
C, 13th Mich. Vet. Vol. Inf., 
and served until July 25, '65. 
After having served his coun- 
try for nearly four years he 
returned to his home in Kent 
Co. and resided there until 
'79, when he removed to 
Lawrence Co., Tenn. Re- 
maining in Tennessee until 
'84, he again came to Mich., 
arriving in Oceana Co. in 
Sept. of that year. On Dec. 
25, '67, he married Laura 
M. Lewis, and they have one 
son and three daughters. He 

has followed farming for a living and is now engaged in that oc- 
cupation in the township of Grant. In the spring of 'f9 the elect- 
ors of Grant manifested their confidence in him by electing him to 
the office of Supervisor, which office he now holds. He has made a 
good man upon the Board and the confidence of the people was in 
no wise misplaced. 

JOHN A. HARRISON— 1884. 

John A. Harrison was born in London, Out., Feb. 21, 1861; his 
parents' names being John and Hanna Harrison. He learned the 
blacksmith trade and has made that his busmess. On Oct. 2, '83, 




RANDALL. 



406 



OCEANA COUNTY PIONEERS 



he was married to INIiss Ro- 
sena Doak; and is now the 
father of one child, a son, 
Gordon L. On Apr. 7, '84, 
he came to Oceana Co. and 
started in business at Shelby 
in Dec, '85. He now has a 
blacksmith and wagon shop 
and deals in cutters, buggies, 
Ijlows, etc. By close atten- 
tion to business and fair deal- 
ing he has added to his busi- 
ness from to time, and has 
possessed himself of a nice 
home. The appreciation in 
which he is held by his fellow 
townsmen has been manifest- 
ed by his election as a mem- 
ber of the Common Council 
of the village. He also stands 
well among his brother Odd 

Fellows, his term as Noble Grand of the Shelby Lodge expiring Dec. 

31, '89. He is of the class of men we are pleased to welcome to our 

State and county. 




J. A. HARRISON. 



A. L. THOiSIAS— 1884. 

A. L. Thomas was born in Oakland Co., Mich., June 29, 1859, 
being the son of Homer A. and Betsey Thomas. He resided in Oak- 
land County and vicinity until the spring of '79, when with his par- 
ents he went to Davis Co., Kansas. There for two and a half years 
he followed farming, but tiring of that occupation he returned to 
Michigan. Shortly afterwards he secured a position with the C. & 
W. M. Ky. Co., with which he has remained since. He worked at 
various places as agent and telegraph operator until Sept. 24, '84, 
•when he came to Pentwater to take charge of the station, which 
position he still holds. June 26, '83, he was married to INIollie E. 
Bissell, of Oakland Co. They have no children. The time he has 
spent in the employ of the one company shows him to be a diligent 
and faithful employe. He and his wife are known as a gentleman 
and lady of high character with whom it is a pleasure to meet, and 
no door is closed against them. 



O. W. STONE— 1885. 
0. W. Stone, photogra^jher, was born in Washtenaw Co., Mich., 



AND BUSINESS MKX OF TO-DAY. 



407 




O. W. STONE. 

Feb. 7, 18oS. His parents' names were James and Elizabeth (Kel- 
sey) Stone. March 22, 1885, Mr. Stone married Miss Ida Kennej-, 
an estimable lady who has borne to him one child, a daughter, who 
was born Oct. 7, '88. He came to Oceana County Nov. 15, '85, 
and opened a photograph gallery. He is a member of the M. E. 
Church, an honest, upright citizen, commanding the respect of all. 
Hehas.been verj'- successful in his business and owns the building 
he occupies. 

JOHN W. BAKER— 1885. 

John W. Baker, son of Tliomas and Lucinda Baker, w-as born in 
Ripley, Chautauqua Co., N. Y., Sept. 29, '47. Previous to coming 
to this county he was engaged in the drug business. On June 15, 
'85, he came to this county and located in Claybanks, moving up- 
on his present farm in the fall of that year. He has held the posi- 
tion of Justice of the Peace. He married, Sept. 27, '71, Miss Phi- 
linda Jones. They have no children of their own but have adopt- 
ed a daughter. 

GEORGE HENRY CLEVELAND— J 885. 

The subject of this sketch is a native of Michigan, having been 
born to Charles M. and Susan A. Cleveland, at Adrian, Mich., Feb. 
13, 1862. He received his early education in his native city and 



408 



OCEANA COUNTY PIONEERS 



afterward took a three year course in the medical department of 
the Michigan University, from which he graduated with the class of 
'82. After this he practiced at Coleman, Mich., one year, then in 
Lansing, from which place he removed to Pentwater in June, '85. 
Since coming to Pentwater he has held the position of School In- 
spector. Been Chairman of the Board of Div. Surgeons for the C. & 
W. M. Ry. Co., and for several years Secretary of the Pere Mar- 
quette Medical Society. Mv. Cleveland married Jennie A. Jollj% at 
Ann Arbor, Mich., May 18, '80, which union was a happy one and 
has been blessed with two bright sons. In religion Mr. Cleveland is 
a Protestant Episcopalian, and Lay Reader of St. James Mission 
Chapel. 



FRED SMITH — 1880. 



Fred Smith, whose portr 




F. SMITH. 



ait appears herewith, was born at Hud- 
son, Lenawee Co., Mich., June 
19, lf:!60. His parents were 
Joseph L. and Margaret 
Smith. When about one 
year of age they moved to 
Clayton where our subject 
spent his boyhood days. In 
April, '80, he came to Pent- 
water, and for the past five 
yeai'S has been in the employ 
•of Sands & Maxwell Lumber 
Co., a very popular clerk. He 
is an active member of the 
Pentwater Athletic Club, and 
has been one of the most effi.- 
cient members of the Pent- 
water Fire Department. Is 
popular among the boys for 
his genial ways. 



JOSEPH LEE— 1886. 

Joseph Lee, a son of John and Mary Ann Lee, was born m Bev- 
erly township, Wentworth Co., Ont., April 13, 184.5. He engaged 
in the business of a general contractor in Hamilton, Canada, pre- 
vious to coming to Oceana County. In '86 he settled in Claybanks 
upon the old R. E. Cater farm, where he is very pleasantly situat- 
ed. He is an energetic, pushing man and in 'a7 in order to facili- 
tate the shipment of his and others' lumber, bark and farm prod- 
ucts, built a pier into Lake Michgian. He is a genial, hospitable 



AND BUSINESS MEN OV TO-DAY. 



409 



gentleman, to which fact the 
■writer can testifj'. Coming 
to his place during a pouring 
rain the writer was urged to 
"put out" and stny to din- 
ner and fifter dinner was urg- 
ed to stay longer until the af- 
ternoon was well sj)ent, the 
time being enlivened with 
cheerful and instructive con- 
versation with ]Mr. Lee and 
his estimable lady. ]Mr. Lee 
married Dec. 24, '67, Miss 
Rosanna Peregrine, and they 
have six childi-en, four sons 
and two daughters. 




.JOHN A. TILLOTSON— 1887, 



John A. Tillotson, son of James and Ellen Tillotson, was born in 

Quebec, Can., Jan. 5, '47. He 
came to this Co. Aug. 27, '87, 
and located in ShelbJ^ car- 
rying on his trade of barber 
and hair dresser. He is now 
located in the Rankin House, 
having a neat sho^Dand is do- 
ing a good business. He has 
had many years' experience 
and been employed in some 
of the best shops and is now 
in a positian to guarantee 
satisfaction to his customers. 
He exprtsses himself as much 
pleased with the i^eopie there 
and has decided to make his 
permanent liome there, to 
that end having purchased a 
house and three lots, which 

he is adorning. Marritd Nov. 3, '73, to AnnieXeacok and has had 

four children, two sons and two daughters. 




J. A. TILLOTSON. 



410 



OCEANA COUNTY PIONEERS 



ROBERT L. BUNTING — 1887. 

Robert L. Bunting was born Aug. 10, 1836, in Erie Co., Pa., being; 
the son of William and Mary A. Bunting. On Dec. 2, 58, he was 
married, at Cherry Valley, Ashtabula County, Ohio, to Betsey L. 
Brown. The result of this union has been eight children, four sons 
and four daughters. On Aug. 7, '62, he enlisted in Co. I, 105th reg- 
iment Ohio Vol. Inf., and again on Aug. 2S, '64, he enlisted in Co. B 
1st U. S. V. Eng. Mr. Bunting is a mason by ti'ade, and has suc- 
ceeded in accumulating some property. In 'b7 he came to Oceana 
Co. and built the first hotel in Walkerville when that thriving 
burg was in its infancy. On May 13, '88, he entered the hotel as 
landlord and still conducts that business. He is a man who is re- 
spected by all who know him; and the traveling public may be sure 
of a warm welcome and good entertainment at his place of business. 



AVILLIAM R. MATTHEWS. 

William R. Matthews was born Jan. 13, 1843, in Branch County, 
Mich. He is a son of Sidney S. and Susan Matthews. His parents 
came to Branch Co. in '34, about three years before the Indians 
were removed from there, coming from Ontario, N. Y. The subject 
of our sketch is an old soldier 
having been a private of Co. 
C, 11th Mich. Inf., and serv- 
ing three years. He was in 
hospital in Chattanooga, 
Tenn., for five months after 
his term of service expired, 
and has been a constant suf- 
ferer since. He has held the 
offices of Commander, S. V. 
C, J. V. C, S. M. and Adjt. 
He has traveled considerably 
having been in nineteen differ- 
ent States, and now express- 
es himself as best pleased 
with his present surround- 
ings. He came to this coun- 
ty May 8, '80, locating at 
Ferry, where he now has a w. R. Matthews. 

real estate and loaning agency, also doing Notary Public work. He 
is contented with Ferry and is endeavoring to settle and build up 
the village and township. He is prepared to offer inducements to 
any who wish to locate in the southeastern portion of Oceana Co., 
and any business in his line will receive iDrompt and careful atten- 




AND BUSINESS MEN OF TO-DAY. 



411 



He solicits correspondence. Married Dec. 20, '68, to Miss Mary 
A. Coon, and they now have one child, a daughter, L. Estella Mat- 
thews. 

LORENZO BRIGGS MITCH RI^L— 1888. 

Lorenzo Briggs Mitchell, known as the 'farmer poet,' was born in 
Brookfield, Wis., March 13, 1849. He married Miss Sarah E. 
VanNess, of Geneva, Wisconsin, at the latter place. In one 
year from his marriage, to a daj', they arrived at the home 
of Mr. Levi Powers, of Ferry township, who lived adjoining the 
then unbroken forest which is now their beautiful country home in 
Hart township. The first years of their pioneer life were fraught 
with many hardships and discouraging circumstances, as the total 
cash on hand upon arriving at their new home was .'?18. But per- 
severance, economy and an 
indomitable will on the part 
of each has surrounded them 
with many of the comforts, 
not to say luxuries of life. 

Mr. Mitchell's love of liter- 
ature, and especially poetry, 
he attributes largely to the 
influence of his grandmother, 
Mrs. Sarah Porter, who, in 
his youthful days read and 
repeated from memory, poe- 
try to him for hours at a 
time. Mr. Mitchell's original 
readings have been the unique 
feature of many an Oceana 
Co. audience, notably at fairs, 
soldiers' reunions, old set- 
tlers' meetings, etc. In this 
connection it is not too much 
to say that his eulogistic po- 
em on U. S. Grant is one of the finest jjroductions of its kind in our 
language. Mr. Mitchell is also a writer of music, being represented 
in many of the S. S. song books of the day by pieces of his own, 
words and music. In these times, when musical MSS. are i-ejected. 
by hundreds where one is accepted, it speaks of a musical and liter^ 
arj^ ability of a high order when nearly all his efforts in this direc- 
tion are accepted and published. Mr. M. has now seven published 
sheet music songs, all his own words and music. It would seem 
that his ambition in this particular hne was to outdo his rivals 
whose productions represent both literary and musical work. 




L. B. MITCHELL. 



412 



OCEANA COUNTY PIONEERS 



Mr. M. has four children living: Ethel M., now the wife of Mr. Al- 
fred Woodland, of Shelby; Edwin L., Neva L., and Winnie E. An 
infant son, aged two months, died Jan. 10, 1887. Mr. Mitchell's 
home, with his interesting children, and literary and musical sur- 
roundings is the delight of his friends and those of his much esteem- 
ed wife. Among such as have ever shared their hospitality, their 
joint ability to pleasantly entertain goes without saying. 

Taken altogether, L. B., as his friends call him, is a man of whom 
our county may justly be proud. He is "not a "strait jacket" in 
any sense of the term, and he is not bound nor influenced by sects, 
creeds, clans or societies. He thinks, acts and speaks for himself 
and is as free in all matters of thought and action as though no 
clans among men existed. He says that life is too short and he has 
too much to do to give them due attention. In his personal habits 
Mr. M. is a true rex^resentative of temperance, being a total ab- 
stainer from tobacco and all intoxicants. 




AMOS DRESSER, JR. 

Editor of Pentwater News from Jan., 1871, to Oct., 1879. 



CHAPTER XV. 



ANECDOTES AND INCIDENTS OF PIONEER LIFE 
IN OCEANA COUNTY. 



"Navkl Hill."— In Decembei-, 1S57 or 1S58, the Highwaj- Com- 
missioners employed Harvey Tower, now a resident of Grant town- 
ship, to survey a highway from the present north line of Hart to 
the south line of Shelby townships, which with slight deviations 
was adopted by the State Road Survey. The party consisted of 
H. Tower, Geo. Light, Jas. McXutt, A. C. Randall and Henry Hoff- 
man, the last named Township Clerk. They ran from north to 
south on the section line between sections 4 and 5. Nearly two miles 
north of Shelby village they came to a long steep hill at the foot of 
which thej' halted. While considering whether to change the course 
or not, McXutt called Randall's attention to a tree and said it was 
about as large as his (Randall's) body. Randall x^ro tested that the 
tree was not so large. They finally bet a dollar, j)ut the stakes in 
Tower's hands and chose him as judge. Of course he had to deter- 
mine by actual measurement. The snow was about twenty inches 
deep and very light, the day cold. When he asked Randall to strip 
to be measured he hesitated, but saw he must submit or lose his 
dollar. Tower wore a pair of mittens heavily fringed all over, and 
used a large string in the operation which unfortunately (for Ran- 
dall) fell into the snow several times before the measurement was 
completed, and was as often recovered with the shaggy mitten la- 
den with snow and reapplied to his "goose pimpled" body, causing 
a deep sigh and the injunction "Tower, be spry; it's mighty cold 
here." Tower, deeply moved with symi^athy for the object of his 
care, in his great haste and clumsy mittens, dropped and recovered 
from the snow again and again the measuring-tape (with care to 
load it well with snow) and applied it to the bare body of the shiv- 
ering and waiting sportsman. The measurement completed, our 
shivering friend hurriedly brought his pants, which had dropped to 
his ankles while his hands held up his shirt to facilitate the meas- 



T 



414 OCEAXA COUNTY PIONEERS 



urement, to their position, only to find that McNutt, careless of ev- 
erybody's comfort but his own, swinging his feet to keep them warm 
had filled the seat of Esq. Randall's pants with snow. Then went 
up (or down) the imprecations of the Squire mingled with the piti- 
less shouts of the company. 

Kandall lost the bet, and the money was voted to Dr. Jenks who 
had entertained them gratuitously the night previous. By this 
time the needle had settled and while on their course up the hill, 
Hoffman broke out with "You'm funny devils; Tower what do ve 
name dis hill?" Tower, without halting, and keeping his eye stead- 
ilj' on his object at the top of the hill, quickly answered: "This ia 
Navel Hill." Hoffman responded "0! yes, dot is it. I puts 'im on 
de book" (township record), and there it stands to this day. 

VoTE-UM-CROPBY— In 1866 Nathan Crosby was nominated by the 
republicans to the office of Clerk and Register, and William Wigton 
by the Democrats. During the campaign there was great strife be- 
tween the friends of both candidates to secure the Indian vote. 
The VVigtons then, as later, ran the grist mill at Hart and supplied 
the country 'round about with flour. It soon became noised about 
among republicans that the Indians were receiving unusual favors 
at the mill and it was whispered that it was a scheme to secure the 
Indian vote for Wigton. Whether this was true or not it had the 
effect of stirring to gi'eater vigilance the friends of Crosby, and when 
some Indians came to town again they were approached and the 
inquiry made as to their trading their votes for flour. One brave 
spoke up for the rest and said: "We like um Wigton flour, but we 
vote-um-Crosby." And the result proved it to be true, as Ci-osby 
was elected by a good majority. 

The Indian Idea. — Skin-esse was an Indian. He wanted to buy 
some red calico for his squaw but ho had no money. O. W. Knox 
offered to sell him the goods and take his gun as security for the 
pay. This pleased him. He took the goods and agreed to pay in 
thirty days. Knox tried to impress upon his mind the importance 
of paying on tinie or the gun would be sold. "Me pay um," said 
Skin-esse. The time had nearly expired and Knox meeting the In- 
dian called his attention to the fact that unless payment was nmde 
at the time the gun would be sold. "Me pay um goods. If me 
don't pay um goods when time up you begin to sell um gun. Me 
pay fore you get um sold." 

Short and Sweet. — The following is a fac siniile copy of a war- 
rant issued by one of Oceana County's pioneer Justices of the Peace 
for the arrest of a man charged with theft, and which the officer, 



AND BUSINESS MEN OF TO-DAY. 415 

actually carried with him for his x^i'otection in making the arrest 
and returned to the Court with defendant in custody. It read as 
follows: 

"Fetch him, d — n him." 

John Bean, Jr., Justice of the Peace. 

Pioneer Scrap.— It is well known, to the pioneers ot Claybanks, 
at least, that an Indian burying ground is situated on the farm 
formerly owned by John D. Hjj,nson, deceased. When the writer's 
mother came to CLaybanks in 18.52, she observed two graves in the 
burying ground which from being covered with a canopy of bark 
and cloth she judged must be occupied by bodies that m life were 
regarded, by the Indians, at least, as of more than ordinary impor- 
tance. On inquiry she was told that one was the grave of a Chiefs 
squaw, the other that of a Catholic goriest who had died while on a 
visit to the Indians. Being at Chicago the next summer, 1853. &he 
spoke of the matter to Rev. Fr. Kin'sella, who in turn told her that 
(luring the administration of Bishop Quarter, first Catholic Bishop 
of Chicago (about 1844 or 1845), two Indians, who had come 
from north ot Muskegon, around Lake Michigan in a canoe, 
called at the Bishop's residence and said that a priest had died 
while ministering among them and asked what they should do with 
the body. They were told to go home and bury the body in their 
own cemetery. If this theory be correct, Catholic services were held 
among the Indians of Claybanks before the advent of the whites. 

The First jMui>e.— In 1858 the pioneer mule of the county jout in 
its appearance at Pentwater. His prominent features and musical 
voice at once caj)tivated Mr. H. C. Flagg, Mr. Mears' foreman at 
Pentwater, who by adroit fiszuring and the exchange of his Indian 
pony secured from its owner absolute title in hisniuleship.and from 
that time to the present said mule has been a resident of the coun- 
ty, and we believe is still in the enjo\''ment of good health. At that 
time the Board of Supervisors was composed of four individuals rei)- 
resenting the four big towns of the county, and held their delibera- 
tions at Whisky Creek, at which place the county seat was then lo- 
cated. Mr. Flagg was Supervisor of Pentwater, and thinking to 
add somewhat to his influence upon the Board by the exhibition of 
a little style, saddled and bridled his new purchase, booted and 
spurred, mounted it and started down the beach road to Whisky 
Creek to attend the annual meeting. Happyjin the thought of pos- 
sessing an animal the like of which had never been seen in these 
parts, he jogged along hununing snatches of Indian love songs and 
maturing plans for the removal of the county seat to Pentwater. 



416 OCEANA COUNTY PIONEERS 

Arriving at the hill near the place now owned by J. Bloore, he start- 
ed down. It was quite steep and a long distance to the bottom and 
the mule stop^jed to deliberate. "Stop, will you?" said Flagg driv- 
ing the spurs into his flanks. That mule, true to the characteristics 
of his race, instead of starting just elevated his posterior members 
and Flaggat the same time. Being on an inclined plane with its head 
pointing downwards, Flagg could not keep his seat, but went right 
out in the air, going down, down, down, his arms and legs trying to 
perform the offices of wings, and at last struck sand at the bottom 
considerably shaken up but no bones broken. Looking back he 
could just discern the nuile disappearing over the brow of the hill. 
He finished the journey on foot, returned home on foot, and with a 
number of mill men scoured the country in search of the mule, but 
finally gave it up as lost. At the end of nine days, however, the 
mule without saddle or bridle, quietly walked into town and thence- 
forth was used for mill duty. The mule referred to in the above 
sketch is one of the mules which Mr. P. Easmusson,of Weare, drove 
for a nufnber of j'ears. 

Plain Enough. — Lawyers are proverbially bad writers, and 
Grove was no exception. On one occasion, many years ago, he wrote 
a letter to Abijah Peck, of Hart, in i-elation to some matter of trif- 
ling importance and not receiving an answer at -the time he e.xpect- 
ed, the circumstance passed entirely from his mind. 

Peck received the letter, but was unable to decipher a single word 
of its contents, or discover the identity of its author. He took it 
home and each member of his family tried a hand at it, but failed 
to make out anj'thing intelligible. Some of his neighbors hearing 
about it, called in and puzzled their brains over it with the same 
result. And as curiosity became excited, nearly every man in Hart 
called upon Peck and requested a perusal of the famous document, 
but nothing satisfactory resulted. Finally some one advised Peck 
to take it to a lawyer, pay him for translating it, and the mystery 
of its contents would be solved. 

Acting upon this advice he took the letter to Grove but before 
giving it to him made the following inquiry: 

"Mr. Grove, are you an expert at deciphering bad writing?" 

"I can read anything that contains a single principle of jpenman- 
ship," replied Grove. 

"Then be kind enough to read that for me," said Peck, handing 
him the letter. 

Grove took it, and after scrutinizing its contents carefully a few 
minutes, handed it back with the remark: 

"I think I told you that I could read anything that contained a 
single principle of penmanship, but my dear sir, this letter does not 



I 



AND BUSINESS MEN OF TO-DAV. 417 

contain an approximation towards a single principle of penman- 
ship, and all that I am able to glean from its contents is that the 
writer is either a fool or wtis drunk at the timeof writing it." 

"Perhaps this enveloxje will aid j-ou a little," said Peck des^pond- 
ingly- 

Grove glanced at the envelope, turned red and pale by turns, and 
said excitedly, "Let me see the letter again. Ahl to be sure! Why, 
it is as x^lain as ABC. It is good writing. Any fool ought to be 
able to read that. That is a letter I wrote you last spring concern- 
ing the election." 

Taken at his word.— R. M. Montgomery, a prominent member 
of the Oceana County Bar in 1872, and a rising attorney, was seat- 
ed in his office one day busily engaged in preparing a brief, in his 
great "Jarndyce vs. Jarndyce" suit, when his cogitations were in- 
terrupted by a rap at his door, and in answer to his "come in," the 
door opened and in stalked a fair representative of the "auld sod" 
who handed Montgomerj' a dirty paper possessing some of the es- 
sentials of a promissory note, \\ith the inquiry: 

"Air yees Misther Montgomery, the Liar?" 

"If you mean Lawyer," gruflly responded Montgomery, "yes." 

"Tiiin will ye be afther casting yir eye over this bit of paper and 
tell me when the intrist is due?" 

"Certainlj^, sir," says Montgomery, "it is due on the 12th day of 
December next." 

"And how the d—1 is that, whin ISIisther Hartwick towld me it 
was due now?" 

"If Mr. Hartwick told you it is due now, he was mistaken," re- 
plied Montgomery. 

"And isn't Misther Hartwick a good Liar?" 

"Oh yes," returned Montgomeiy, "he is a verj^ good Lawyer." 

"And sure and I thought so, and as ye say he is a good Liar, and 
as he didn't say you was one, I'll believe you and take his advice. 
The top of the morning to you, Misther Montgomery, good day!" 

A Ministerial Incident.— In the early days of Pentwater's history 
when lumbering was the principal occupation of its residents, sa- 
loons flourished, but religious denominations had a hard struggle 
to even secure fair congregations on the Sabliath. The Rev. J. B. 
Prichard, well known to our people today, was one of the pioneer 
laborers in this behalf in Pentwater, and recognizing the difficulties 
determined upon a bold stroke to secure better congregations. He 
caused a number of handbills to be printed, stating that he would 
hold religious services at a place named, on certain days and re- 



418 OCEANA COUNTY PIONEERS 

questing the peoijle to "turn out."' These handbills he posted him- 
self in every business house in the place, and in order that none 
might be slighted he concluded to visit the saloons also. Stepping 
into a saloon which was conducted by Geo. Schmidt, he was sur- 
prised to see the number of people there gathered. Four tables 
with four n)en at each table engaged in playing a game which he 
"did not understand," and the bar tender busily engaged in supply- 
ing the players with drinks. Inquiring for the proprietor, Mr. 
Smith promptly presented himself, when he showing him one of his 
notices asked him if he could post it up in the room. "Yah; puts it 
up vafe you vants it," says George. "But," says the minister, "I 
want it right up there," pointing to a place on the wall behind the 
bar, over the bottles, "and how am I going to get it there?" "Dot's 
right; I fix you," and Schmidt rolled out a keg of beer for him to 
stand on. "Dere; you shust get right up on dot. It von't tip you 
over if you don't meddle niit vat is in it." The reverend gentleman 
passed through the ordeal of laboring behind the bar of a saloon 
on top of a beer keg, without being tipped over and was rewarded 
with good congregations thereafter. 

A Justice's High Authority— One of Hart's early business men 
was elected Justice of the Peace. He was a shrewd, careful business 
man, but had a vague conception of the law or his duties as an ofti- 
cial. One day shortly after he had qualified, a prominent attorney 
witli whom he was well acquainted and in whom he had the utmost 
confidence, appeared before him and stated to him that the duties 
of liis office required that he should keep an open eye and whenever 
he detected any one violating the law should restrain or punish the 
party. The attorney then called his attention to a couple in the 
township of Ferrj' who were notoriously living in adultery, and 
asked him to issue an injunction restraining them. He finally con- 
cluded 'twas his duty to do so and the attorney made complaint 
setting forth the facts, and he finding a form actually issued a writ 
of injunction against the offending parties and insisted upon the of- 
ficer serving it. The joke got out after a time, and it is said that 
ever after all matters of that nature were referred to M. H. Brooks, 
Esc^., while he confined himself to the duties of his private business. 

How the Thief Outwitted a Pioneer. — E. T. INIugford had lost 
an ox and vowed vengeance on the first cattle thief he caught. This 
was along in the sixties. Shortly after registering the above vow 
he attended a Good Templar's Lodge at Pentwater and returning 
late at night drove straight byD. L. Garver's place. The full moon 
shed its refulgent rays o'er hill and dale and his lonely ride caused 
him to ruminate on the depravity of the human race. As he arriv- 
ed at the foot of the hill south of Garver's he cast his eyes to the 



AND BUSINESS MEN OP TO-DAY. -119 

crest and behold, the full moon as it shone through the tree to^is 
disclosed a man leading a cow by a rope. "Ah, ha!" soliloquized 
Mugford, "there he comes. Not satisfied with stealing my ox he has 
returned and is leading away my cow. I will keep my promise and 
retribution I will have, providing I am the stouter." When they 
approached each other Mugford sprang from his buggy and with his 
left hand grabbed the ropewhile his rightclutched thethief's throat. 
They clinched and fell to the ground with Mugford on top, and in a 
few seconds he had "winded" the thief. What are you leading ofl 
my cow for?" he inquired. "It is not your cow, nor never was," he 
replied. On taking a second look Mugford discovered his mistake. 
The sweat acttially potired from him as he begged pardon. The vic- 
tim of his onslaught explained that he lived in Riverton, Mason Co. 
Had a brother at Grand Haven who wrote to him that if he would 
come there he would give him a cow and he was driving it home. He 
said that when he arrived at Shelby he only had two shillings, that 
he purchased some crackers and cheese; some feed for his cow, rest- 
ed a while, and had got this far on his road. The penitent Mugford 
importuned him to go home with him and have a good night's rest, 
but he declined, saying his wife and children would expect him. 
About four o'clock the next morning a man rapped on Mr. Mug- 
ford's door and on entering inquired if he had seen any one leading 
a cow by. He said he lived in Shelby, and some one had stolen his 
cow the night previotis. Mr. Mugford then related his experience of 
a few hours previous, and the man followed on but never found his 
cow. 

His First and Only Treat.— A. S. White, the gentlemanly and 
courteous manager of the Citizen's Exchange Bank at Hart, w.-.s in 
the early history of that village engaged in tlie dry goods bu>iness 
with Mr. 0. W. Knox, under the firm name of White & Knox. T heir 
store was on the then main street, still called Main Street, alt In lUgh 
deserted by business houses. Directly across the way Flood kept 
a drug store. Mr. White, although not orthodox, is a man of ex- 
emplary habits, and was never known to gamble, drink, "set 'em 
up," engage or take part in a questionable act. On one occasion 
early in the seventies Russell and Knox got the joke on White and 
insisted upon his treating. They bantered and bluffed until he 
finally relaxed and agreed to it. They went across the way to the 
drug store and the following took place: 

Mliite — "Jim, the boys have got it on to me and I want to tveat 
them. Got anything good to drink?" 

Flood — "No; since the crusade I hav'n't kejDt any liquor." 

Wliitt^ — "Hav'n't you got some wine?" 

Flood— "'So, hav'n't a drop; but I'll tell you. I have something 



420 OCEANA COUNTY PIONEERS 

here," jjointing to a low of vinegar bitters bottles, "you can see 
Avliat it says on the labil, 'no vile pro]perties.' I think it is just 
A\hat you want," and he winked. 

White — "All right; let us have some." 

A bottle was taken down, opened and Knox and Russell took a 
tjood drink and White appeared to, also. In a few minutes they 
were gagging and spewing the ^^tuff and in the intervals wondering 
■why ^Vhite made no face over it. Then for the first time they real- 
ized 1 hat White had taken Flood into his confidence and put up a 
job on them by treating them to the vilest compound in the store. 



Coffin I"]>TKni'RisE. — A number of years ago, before ^Iv. Whit- 
tington hung out his sliingle as undertaker for this community, car- 
p)enters were frequently called upon to perform the duties of such, 
and on one occasion our old friend Pete Labonta was waited upon 
by a delegation of Indians, who wanted a coffin for one of their 
tribe who had just passed to the happy hunting grounds. Pete, 
nothing loth to the making of a few dollars, even out of poor Lo, 
took the job, and in a short time delivered to the delighted red men 
a beautiful black coffin ornamented with a red stripe about four 
inches wide around the center of the coffin. In a few days thereaf- 
ter he had another order, tlien another and another, until they be- 
gan to come in so fast, that thinking he had struck a bonanza, he 
abandoned all other enterprises and undoubtedly would have made 
his fortune out of it, had not grave suspicions been aroused about 
this time that there was something wrong on the reservation to oc- 
casion such a fearful mortality among the Indians. Investigation 
proved that the delighted red men were killing off the old and sick- 
ly merely for the pui'iDOse of burying them in style in a black coffin 
with a red stripe around it. 

« 
Warm Meals.— Following close upon the removal of the county 
seat from Whisky Creek to Hart was the opening of the first res- 
taurant in that i^lace, by one Barnard Putney; which event was 
made public by the appearance of a modest home-made sign over 
the door, reading, "Warm Meals." Barnard was one of that pecul- 
iar class of individuals who seem to have been created on purpose 
for people to play jokes upon, and many were the "sells" the wise- 
acres about the Court chronicled against him, all of which he took 
good naturedly and apparently without any idea of retaliation. 

Among those who delighted to run upon poor Barnard was L. D. 
Grove, one of the pioneer attorneys of the county, and who never 
seemed satisfied until he had played some joke upon Barnard be- 



AND BUSINESS MEN OF TO-DAY. 421 

foi'e the visiting attorneys fi'om Grand Rapids or Grand Haven. 

One day an important suit was upon trial, and quite a delegation 
of outside attorneys Avere present. During]?an intermission Grove 
regaled them with stories of the tricks he had played upon the i-es- 
taurant keeper, and finally when the hour of noon apj^roachcd in- 
vited judge and attorneys over there to dine with him at his ex- 
pense, promising rare sj)ort. On entering, Grove said: 

"Barney, I see you advertise 'warm meals;' bestir yourself and 
prepare warm meals for five." 

"There's another notice you overlooked, Mr. Grove, probably," 
replied Barney; "I must have my pay in advance, $1.25 for five." 

"All right," laughed Grove, winking to his companions, "here's 
your cash." 

Barnard moved meekly about and seating them at the table 
placed before them five saucers and five bottles of pepper-?auce, 
saying "Help yourselves, gentlemen, you'll find these will make 
^yarm meals." 

It is needless to add that the attorneys enjoyed the "rare sport" 
and Grove never heard the last of it. 

Barney a Caniiidate. — After Barney's success in turning the joke 
upon Grove he became for a time quite a lion among the attorneys. 
They told him it never would do for a man of his ability and shrewd- 
ness to be engaged in such a menial occupation; that he had the 
natural qualifications for a first class lawyer and advised him to 
procure a copy of Tiffany's Justice Guide and study law. Thereaf- 
ter he donned a legal air, studied Tiffany and attended all sessior.s 
of the Circuit Court with i-egularity. Finally in 1870, after the 
nominations for county offices had been made and a serious bolt in 
the republican party announced, some of the attorneys told Bar- 
ney that if he would announce himself as an independent candidate 
for Sheriff in a proclamation and scatter it well throughout the 
county, he could be elected. Scarcely 48 hours had elapsed after 
receiving this information before the following proclamation ap- 
peared and was distributed by Barney in person: 
"Pentwater 1870. 
B. Putney for Sherif. 

To the People of Oceana County: 

You have read in the papers that I were going to run for Sherif, 
and the reason why I intended to have told you all personally. But 
on account of sickness in my familey I have Ben obliged to stay at 
home, Hoping that if this mesage should reach you that it might 
Explain the matter satisfactory, in april 1863 I abandoned my 
trade as gunsmith in ashtabula County Ohio an came to this state 



422 OCEAXA COUNTY PIONEERS 

an Invalid tending to consumtion and after Being here three years 
I began to improve in health, as out door Employment and sport- 
ing in the Woods was all the medsin that I used or kneded. in 1869 
I thought I wer Entirely Well and commenced Business again as 
gunsmith and at present I am forced to Believe that if I wer to con- 
tinue the Business three Weeks Longer Without rest or out Door 
Employment mj- fate would result in a case of Confirmed Consum- 
tion, therefore I am Forced to resort to some other Employment 
and having acted as constable one year has proved to me that the 
office of Sherif would be the Most appropriate situation for me. I 
Consider my legal learning sufficient to carry me through, the Most 
of you know that I am cajDable of giving counsil and practising law 
you might suppose that I should resort to that practis for a Living 
But the question is here prematurely answered, on account of a se- 
vere chronic Dificulty of my throat Broncail tubes and organs of 
sxDeech I am again cut off From Employment in that Direction. 
Now Friends and Strangers if I Wer a single man like I Wer one 
year ago and Nobody but Myself to Support I never Would ask 
any of you to lend a Vote to Enstall me in office. But Now the case 
Different I have a Wife and three Orphan children to feed, Clothe 
and Schoo.l to which I have so far Done properly and Wish to Con- 
tinue But my health having failed I have Began to have the Blews 
some and this is one of my ingenious tacts to Bring about Means. 

Now Gentlemen Friends and Strangers as I am personaly ac- 
quainted With the most of you I feel assured that you will Believe 
the above Statement to be tru and worthy, and I will Further say . 
if I was to ask you for a Bushel of Wheat you could with i)ropriety 
say j'^ou had not got any to spare. But you can all spare me a 
Vote and not feel any loss of it, and it Will not pay your taxes. 

N. B. you will beon Lection Day thronged with several influential 
Politicians Who will beg of you to vote for twostought able Bodied 
men who are now Merchants and able to do any kiijd of Business 
in any place, or live without work. But my familey Eats for supper 
■what I Earn through the Day and Now I appeal to your Christians 
spirits and Consider a Word to the Wise is sufficient. 

Barnard Putney." 

Alas! for Barney's hopes. The great Indian trainer of Elbridge, 
Hevvey S. Sayles, was elected. 

A Slip of the Tongue.— Judge Giddings, although famed for the 
dignity with which he i^resided over the trial of cases, often destroy- 
ed the dignity of the attorneys by the flashes of wit that he some- 
times indulged in. 

During one of his terms of Court there was a case on trial which 
involved the construction of a certain statute. L. D. Grove repre- 



AXD BUSINESS MEX 9F TO-DAY. 423 

sented tlie i^laintiff and L. M. Hartwickthe defendant. The discus- 
sion was quite animated on l)oth sides, each party insisting with 
considerable warmth and volubility upon that construction most 
favorable to his client, when the Judge, with a comical twinkle in 
his eye, gave his decision, with his usual urbanity, as follows: 

"Gentlemen, the issue in this case having by stipulation of the 
parties been narrowed to a construction of this statute, and the 
discussion having been quite exhausting-i\-e, it will take but a few 
minutes to dispose of the case. I shall, without any hesitancy, sus- 
tain the construction contended for by Mr. Hartwick, it api^earing 
to me that the language employed by the Legislature to express its 
intention is very plain and unambiguous (with a comical glance to- 
wards Grove); so plain that the nay-faring man though a fool need 
not err therein." 

The Bar were convulsed, and Grove, very red in the face, springing 
to his feet inquired: 

"Do I understand your Honor to insinuate that Jam a fool?" 

"Oh, no," replied the Judge blandly. "By no means, Mr. Grove. 
That was purely a lapsus linguse." 

Squire Weatherbee — Scjuire Weatherbee will be remembered bj' 
the pioneers as the Squire of early days before whom they were 
wont to appear and adjust their little differences. He was a typi- 
cal Yankee, tall, raw-boned, slow of speech, methodical in his move- 
ments, and as they used to say, "terrible sot in his way." He 
was, however, strictly honest and detested anything like trickery or 
dishonesty in others. Shortly after his qualifying as Justice of the 
Peace he was called upon to issue a summons in trespass, which he 
did, givingit to the ofiicer with minute instructionsas to the manner 
of service. The document was duly served and returned, and on 
the return day L. D. Grove appeared for the Plaintiff and T. S. 
Gurney for the Defendant. Mr. Gurney, upon looking at the sum- 
mons discovered that the damage claimed was $300 instead of $100, 
simply called Mr. Grove's attention to it. Mr. Grove, after exani- 
ining it, stated to the Court that on account of a fatal error in the 
summons, he should ask to have the case discontinued. The J. P. 
straightened back, and putting on a severe, dignified expression, 
said: Mr. Grove, I want you to understand this Court drawee! 
that ere summons, and he knows its right. Yer can't squash any 
suits on a summons that I drawed. We will go on with the trial, 
gentlemen." After considerable vigorous talk on the part of Grove 
coincided in by Gurney, the case was finally discontinued, but his 
Honor never could understand the reason. 

Supreme Court Over-ruled.— It was during the period of Squire 



424 OCEANA COUNTY PIONEERS 

Weatherbee's reign that Charles W. Deane, the first Prosecuting At- 
torney of the county and who was said to be the owner of a vol- 
ume of the Michigan Reports, was engaged in the trial of a case be- 
fore his Honor which was hotly contested. Upon the question of 
the admission of a certain paper in evidence the attorneys differed 
as to the law and proceeded to argue the question to the Court. 
It was the critical point upon which Deane's case depended and af- 
ter his opponent had finished he rose to his feet and delivered a 
speech that for forensic eloquence "capped the climax" of anything 
that had ever been heard in "these parts," winding up by a refer- 
ence to his Mich, report and read a decision that sustained his po- 
sition, and feeling that he had driven home a clincher, took his 
seat while a triumphant gleam from his eye shot across the table 
to his crestfallen antagonist. Imagine, then, his astonishment 
when the Squire, straightening himself back, said: "All very prop- 
er, my dear sir. The SujDreme Court has a right to believe just as 
she d — n pleases, and I'll do the same. In this case I thmk the Su- 
preme Court is wrong." 

Apologized. — Many years ago two prominent attorneys of Pent- 
water, W. E. Ambler and R. M. Montgomery, engaged in the trial of 
a cause before his Honor, Ed. E. Edwards, Esq., became considera- 
bly excited over the discussion of a question of the admission of ev- 
idence, when getting pretty close together they abandoned the legit- 
imate line of their argument and seizing one another by the shoul- 
ders, commenced waltzing about the room in a lively manner. The 
Court interfered at this point, and as soon as quiet was restored, 
intimated that an apology from each would be in order before the 
regular business of the Court would be resumed. Silence reigned for 
awhile when Montgomery, with the evidence of contrition upon his 
countenance, rising slowly from his seat stated that he was sorry 
for the x^art he had taken in the disgraceful scene; that upon reflec- 
tion he could see where he was in the wrong, and trusted the Court 
w'ould pardon him. The Court bowed serenely as IMontgomery 
took his seat, and smiled encouragingly upon Ambler to arise and 
do likewise. After a few moments A. arose and said that he, too, 
was sorry for what had taken place, and that upon sober second 
thought he, too, could see where Mr. M. was in the wrong, and 
trusted that the Court would grant Mr. M.'s request and pardon 
him, as he had already done. 



CHAPTER XVI. 



STATISTICAL. 



COUNTY OFFICERS SINXE 1855. 

Sheriff.— L. D. Ecaton, '55-8; A. Rector, '56; J. Tapley, '60; Wm. 
Webb, '62-4-8; E. J. Reed, '66; H. S. Sayles, '70-2; O. K. White, 
'74; O. P. Fortner, '76; W. R. Collier, '78-'80; J. D. S. Hanson, 
'82-4; Jos. Tj^ler, '86; Wm. Cooper, '88. 

Clerk ^xd Register— H. Tower, '55; L. S. Anderson, '56; A. S.An- 
derson, '58; E. D. Richmond, '60-2-4-'76-8-'80-2-84; N. Crosby, 
'66-8; D. W. Crosby, '70; T. S. Gurney, '72-4; W. N. Sayles, Clerk, 
'86; W. P. Sackrider, Clerk, '88; D. C. Wickham, Register, '86-8. 

Treasurer.- A. R. Wheeler, '55; H. Tower, '56; Estes Rich, '58; A. 
S. Anderson, '60; O. Swain, '62; W. H. Leach, '64-6; J. R. Butler, 
'68-'70-2-4-8-'80; H. Hoffman, '76; E. B. Gaylord, '82-4; G. Wy- 
ckofl, 'S6-8. 

Judge of Probate.— J. Russell, '60; C. Canii), '64; A. Crosby, '68; 
F. J. Russell, '72-6; D. Johnson, '80; D. Landon, '84; W. E. Am- 
bler, '88, to fill Landon's term; W. H. Churchill, '88. 

Prosecuting Attorney.— C. W. Deane, '60; L. D. Grove, '62-4-6; J. 
M. Rice, '68-'70: R. M. Montgomery, '72-4; A. H. Nelson, '76; W. 
H. Hubbard, '78; L. G. Rutherford, '80, resigned in '82; L. M. 
Hartwick, appointed to fill vacancy, and elected in '82; C. B. Ste- 
vens, '84-6; J. D. S. Hanson, '88. 

Circuit Court CoimissiONER.— C. W. Deane, '60; L. D. Grove, '62- 
'64-6; F. J. Russell, '68-'70; A. H. Nelson, '72-4; M. H. Brooks, 
'76-8; L. M. Hartwick, '80; C. A. Gurney, '82-4; M. H. Brooks, 
'86-8. 



426 



OCEANA COUNTY PIONEERS 



VITAL STATISTICS. 



Births and deaths in Oceana Conntj' in the years 1887, 1 
1889, from official reports by Supervisors: 



, 1887 


.Births 


..283 


Deaths 104 




1888 


(( 


..284 


li 


96 




n889 


y — 


..284 


11 


103 




Total 3 years 


..851 




303 




*14 towns. 2 


not Teported. 










Births and deaths in 1889, reported: 










BIRTHS. 






DEATHS. 




Pentwater...Male 


17 Female 


15 


Male 


6 Female 


14 


Hart " 


12 " 


15 




6 " 


7 


Shelby " 


26 " 


14 




4 " 


1 


Golden " 


11 


6 




4 " 


5 


Claybanks... " 


9. 


9 




6 


2 


Benona " 


19 " 


13 




3 " 


2 


Elbridge " 


11 


12 




2 '■ 


1 


Newfield " 


10 


17 




7 " 


6 


Weare " 


10 


7 




2 " 


2 


Ferry " 


5 '' 


7 




7 " 


3 


Grant " 


7 " 


10 




" 


2 


Crystal •' 


11 " 


4 




4 " 


4 


Colfax " 


" 


3 




1 " 


2 


Otto " 


3 " 


1 




" 





Totals : 


L51 133 

POPULATION. 




.52 


51 


1850— 300 


U. S. Census. 










1860— 1,816 


!( (( 










1864— 2,373 


ii a 










1870— 7,222 


c( a 










1880—11,699 


11 (< 










1881-14,519 


State " 






• 




1890—18,500 


Estimated from School Census. 






POSTOFFICES. 








Pentwater, 


Shelby, 


Hart, 




Mears, 




Grand View, 


Allen Creek, 


Benona, 


Holstein, 




Bird, 


Houseman, 


Claybanks, 


Rothbuiy, 




Cranston, 


Stetson, 


Crystal Val. 


, Smith's Corners 


Elbridge, 


Woodburn, 
Flower 


Ferry, 
Creek. 




Hesperia, 





AND BUSINESS MEN OF TO-DAY 



427 



VOTE ON PRESIDENT AND GOVERNOR. 



President. 
1856— Fremont Rep 82 

Buchanan Dem 21 

1860— Lincoln Rep 192 

Douglass Dem 158 

1861— Lincoln Rep 356 

]\IcClellan Dem 177 

1868— Grant Rep 1080 

Seymour Dem 405 

1872— Grant Rep 1158 

Greeley D cfc L 196 

O'Connor 51 

1876— Hayes Rep 1365 

Tilden Dem 599 

Cooper GB 29 

1880— Garrield Rep 1481 

Hancock Dem 482 

Weaver G B 501 

1884— Blaine Rep 1637 

Cleveland Dem 661 

Butler GB 552 

St. John Pro 357 

1888— Harrison Rep 1726 

Cleveland Dem 1426 

Fisk Pro 434 

Streeter UL 23 



Governor. 

Bingham 83 

Felch 21 

Blair 191 

Barry 159 

Crapo 354 

Fenton 179 

Baldwin 1079 

Moore 412 

Barley 1159 

Blair 225 

Croswell 1368 

Webber 554 

Jerome 1401 

Holloway 542 

Woodman 491 

McKeever Pro 25 

Alger 1597 

Begole 1218 

Preston 647 

Luce 1718 

Burt 1421 

Cheney 443 

Mills 25 



TEMPERATURE TABLE 



showing extremes of cold and heat. Record made by B. Moore, 
Shelby. Table covers extreme yeai's: 





isro 




1 1 1^ 












s 




T 


























^ 


r^ 


^ 


— 


















yi^ 


o . 


^^ 


f 












A 15 




A 



1872 



A B 



A B 



1876 



A B 



1S78 



A B 



Jamiaiy 

FelJiiuiry 

March 

April 

May 

June 

July 

August 

September . . 

October 

November. .. 
Deceuilter. .. 



n 3 

15 



3 
3«t 34 

:«Gb 
:iS 73 
(57-1 
12 70 
2006 
3121 
752 
3;J4 



20 51 
2lt42 
1.^::: 
27 27 
20 14 
10 12 



842 
11 30 

52 
144".l 
20 



4(2i> 
13 28 



20 55 
13 49 
13 34 



72 '20 

61; 28 
:8 



20 33 

2138 

7 52 

,»5|57 

2.5 56 

24 loo 

17176 

7'74 

8,72 

1064 

1!I44 

1032 



428 



OCEANA COUNTY PIONEERS 



RAIN FALL — INCHES. 

Jan. Feb. Mar. Apr. May June July Aug. 
1870— l;'i^....O ....1 ....3 ,...5 ....6%....6' ....5%. 

1871— 4 ....1 ...A%...A%....2%. 

1872— .... % l%....6%...A}i....l%...A%. 

1873— %.... %....S%....9%....Q ....1%. 

1874— 1.... ^^....l;'^....l"....3i^....3"....3 ....11^. 

1875— ....1^^....5"....3 ....71^.... 61^. 

1876-21/... .2 .... i^....li^....4 ....6%....6 ....1%. 
1877— -^....3 ....31^.. ..6 ....!%... .5 . 



1878- 



... %....3 ....5'^....4-^....4^....2^....3%. 



Sep. 
...6 . 

...2%. 

...13. 

...5 . 

...3^. 

...3%. 
..A%_. 



1870- 
1871- 
1872- 
1873- 
1874- 
1875- 
1876- 
1877- 
1878- 



Qpt. 

- 0.. 

- 0.. 

- 2.. 
-14.. 

- 1.. 

- 1.. 

- 1.. 

- 0.. 
-13.. 



E. V. Wanmer, 

B. C. Knapp, 
J. B. Gebhart, 

C. A. Sessions, 
John Near, 

C. A. Hawley, 

H. S. Eliiott, 

N.B.Farnsw'th 
E. F. Ames, 
A. Tennant, 
S. S. Branch, 

E. Stanhope, 

C. F. Hale, 



SNOW FALL— INCHES. 



Nov. 

. 7.. 

.17.. 
.34.. 
.51.. 
.22.. 

. 6.. 
.17.. 
.27.. 

.IK.. 



Dec. 
..38... 

..171^. 

..34.'. 



. 8. 
.19. 
.28. 
.64. 
.5%. 



Jan. 
..42. 

..41. 

..22. 

..23. 

..40. 

..35. 

..10. 

..28. 

..18. 



Feb. 
..15... 

..18... 

..17... 
.. 6%. 
.. 7... 
..18^4 
••2li 
.. 0... 
..11... 



Oct. Nov. 

...8i^....li^., 

...2y,....i%.. 

...l]i....2%.. 
...2%.... %.. 
...3 ....2^., 
...5%.... %.. 
...2%...A%. 
...9%....3 .. 
...6%...1% 



Mar. 
..46... 

.. 4... 

..25... 

..131^. 

..13... 

..14... 

..24^^. 

..27... 



Dec- 
•13^ 
■2% 

■2% 



Apr. 
... 9 



. 3 

.34 

■^% 
. 4 
. 7 
. 

. 



A FEW ORCHARD REPORTS— 1888-9. 

450 bu. Peaches, sold for $ 225.00 

1300.00 

Plums, " 275.00 

202.00 

Peaches, " 2500.00 

3000.00 

725.00 



'89- 
'88— 
'89— 



650 
130 
101 
'88—2000 
'89--2600 
'88— 350 
'89— 300 
'88— 500 
'89- 950 
'88— 650 
'89—1000 



'88— 
'89— 
'89— 
'89- 
'89— 



197 
631 
360 
500 
203 



'88—1000 
'89—1158 
'88— 683 
'8 9— 809 
'88—1200 
'89—1300 



Plums, 
Peaches, 



750.00 

565.00 
1200.00 

900.00 
2000.00 

397.50 
1631.24 
1064.70 
1000.00 

400.00 

900.00 
1750.00 

785.00 
1267.35 
1800.45 
3200.00 



GENERAL INDEX. 



Anct'dote 56 

Agiifultuval Society 85 

Apolos'izcfl 424 

Boundaries 21 

Benona 24 C2 148 

Banks 77 95 120 121 

Bull of the woods 105 

Benona Lodge No. 289 F. & A. M IGS 

Barney a Candidate 421 

Crystal 24 158 

Colfax 25 1C2 

Claybauks 25 34 146 

CircuitCourt 36 38 

Catholicism in Claybanks 48 

Crystal Valley Lodge No. 38G I. O. O. F. .188 

Coftin Enterprise 420 

County Otheers 425 

Dog Tax. 103 

Deborah Lodge No. 93 D. of K Wl 

Dan Landon Post No. 397 207 

Early History 18 

Elbridge 35 151 

Ferry Township 25 150 

First Settlers 26 30 

Fourth of July 41 

Fruit 6195 

First Mule, The 415 

Few Oreharil Keports, A 428 

Golden 24 149 

Game 29 

Greenwood 35 159 

Grant 161 

Grand Army Posts 192 

Gen'l Sill Po.st Xo. 209 203 

Hart Township 39 51 140 

Hart Village 63 141 

Hayes, ]\Iike 07 

Hesperia 72 155 

Ho))kins, Judge 66 

Hawley's Mill 103 

Horse Thief Captured 105 

Hart Inii)rovement Company 144 

" Attieonian Society 144 

" l^nion School 144 

" Chantauijua Circle 145 

" Business Houses 145 

Hesperia Lodge Xo. 346 F. & A. M 170 

" " " 3.34 1. 0.0. F 177 

Hart Encampment No. 18 I. O. O. F...190 



How the Thief Outwitted a Pioneer .418 

His First and Only Treat 419 

Introductory 9 

Indians 28 42 44 59 

Indian Patriotism 45 

Irons, A., Disapjiearance 109 

Integrity Lodge No. 58 D. of II 191 

Indian Idea, The 414 

Jail 37 

Joe Hooker Post No. 26 103 

John F. Keynolds Post No. 52 205 

John A. DixPost No. 9 209 

Judicial 221 

Justice's High Authority, A 418 

Leroy 24 

Lamont, Wreck of io7 

Leavitt 152 

Lakeside Encamp. No. 109 I. o. o. F..190 

Mud Hen 53 

Minnie Corlett, Wreck of 77 

Mills, Jennie, Disappearance loi 

Mercury, Wreck of 106 

MeClure, Warren, Death of 115 

Makin Murder 117 

Middlesex Brick & Tile Co 127 

Masonic 104 

Mark Satterlee Camp No. 28 S. O. V.. .206 
IMarvin Gilson Camp No. 60 S. O. V.. .208 

Ministerial Incident, A 417 

Name 13 

Newfleld 24 154 

Newspapers 40 67 103 109 121 122 125 

Navel Hill 413 

Otto 24 160 

Organization 30 

Oceana Times 40 73 

Orders 73 

Oceana Lodge No. 200 F. & A. M 164 

Chapter No. 56 K. A. M 171 

" Council No. 27 1{. & S. M 172 

Oddfellowship ir2 

Oceana Lodge No. 327 I. O. O. F 173 

Oceana Co. Veteran Association 211 

Population 1890 11 

Pent water Township 3i 123 

Peaches 43 

Pentwater Village 57 124 

Pigeons go 

Peach Defalcation 85 



430 



OCEANA COUNTY PIONEERS 



Peiitwa ter Titles 88 

" Kuniiture Factory llS 

Parks 129 

Lodge No. 378 I. O. O. F 184 

Patrons of Industry 212 

Pioneer Scrap 415 

Plain Enough 41G 

Population 426 

Postofflces 426 

Quinn, George P., Death of 115 

Keed 25 

Kector, Andrew, Shot 45 

Removal of County Seat 4r> 54 

Rebellion .51 

Railroad CH G8 

Ruby Lodge No. 1C9 D. of R 109 

R. M. Jolnison Post 1 38 £01 

Representative 214 

Rain Fall 428 

Surveyor General's Report 19 

Stony Creek 34 

Small Pox 75 

Souvenir, ^yreck of 77 

Scandinavian E. L. Church IIG 

Shelby Township 133 



Shelby Village 134 

" Business Houses 138 

Lodge No. 344 I. O. O. F 178 

Stetson Lodge No. 390 I. O. O. F 189 

Shields Post No. 68 197 

State Legislature 21G 

Short and Sweet 414 

Slip of the Tongue, A 423 

Squire Weatherbee 4;:i3 

Supreme Court Over-ruled 423 

snow Fall 428 

Trotting Stock 97 

Taken at His Word 417 

Temperature Table 427 

Vote-um-Crosby 414 

Vital Statistics 426 

Vote on President and Governor 427 

Weare 39147 

Whisky 42 

Women's Crusade 82 

Wigton Lodge No. 251 F. & A. M 166 

White River Valley Lodge 

No, «GD. ofR 192 

Will B. Chandler Camp No. 114 S. O. V..210 
Warm Meals ■ 420 



INDEX OF PORTRAITS AND SKETCHES. 



Anderson, A. S 8s 2S3 

Ambler, W. E., Residence 127 

Abraham, C. E 183 3f 3 

Archer,B. F 201 331 

Mrs. B. F 332 

Ambler,W.E 217 

Abson, H 287 

Ackerson, W. D 312 

Ames, R. F 320 

Andreas, C 328 

Mrs. C 329 

Avery, A. G 339 

Baker, T. H 137 182 3G2 

Benton, E. L ]57 270 

Barry, W. H 168 199 363 

Burgess, A. E 184,365 

Byrne, Ohve 23i 

Brady, Andrew 234 

Mrs. A 235 

Blanck, Charles 248 

Bamford, John 279 

Mrs. J 279 

Bearss, A. H iSl 

Barron, H 283 

Bearss, J 287 

Branch, S. S 291 



Butler, J. R 308 

Benjamin, D. C 313 

Baker, M 316 

lU-iggs, E. N 348 

Bouton, J. H 350 

Brooks, M. H 303 

Bate,G.R 354 

Brewster. L. C S93 

Baker, J. W 407 

Court House 31 50 222 

Clark, E. B 45 138 34a 

Cogswell,!. H 103 

Cahill, J. M 131 298 

Cutler, E. H l-'-G IM 393 

Chadwick, H. J 142 395 

Collier, J. A 143 173 194 355 

Carr, A. L 148JG7 300 

Cummins, J. F 151331 

Mrs. J. F 381 

Cater, R. E IGS 239 

Cooper, Wm 176 300 

Cramer, C. W 185 366 

Cahill, J. V 193 373 

Cutcheon, B. IM 215 

Crosby, D. W 221291 

Carpenter J 2G0 



AND BUSINESS MKN OF TO-DAY. 



431 



Carpenter, Mrs. J — 261 

Collister, Thos 269 

Mrs. T 3()7 

Clmrcliill, W. H 283 

Critchett, J. H 294 

Cleveland, J 347 

Cornell, W.H 374 

CoonE.F 379 

Converse, C. E 382 

Coon, Mrs. C.E 390 

Cleveland, (J. H 407 

Darling, Uev. A. A 45 277 

Dean, O. H 165 384 

Dunn, W. H 178 198 .isr 

Dickernian, A 225 

Dill. David 2C5 

" Mrs. D 2G6 

Dumaw, Charles 273 

Davis, C'.B .308 

Dewey, G. E 358 

Dresser, A. Jr .412 

Eaton, L.D 96238 

Mrs. L. D 237 

Eddy, Cx. H 199 382 

Fleming, W. H 149 398 

Elagg, E. B 1(55 297 

Fisher, M. O 189 .373 

Farrell, J. G 252 

Fisher, C.W 315 

" Jacob 321 

Foster, S.D 342 

Fincher, F. W 351 

Ferris, M. L. and Wife 391 

Giddings, .ludge A. H 67 79 1012^4 

(iirard, M.D 128 270 

(iardiner, W. M 169 2C7 

(iurney, T. S 174 218 

Gnrney, C. A 174 38;^ 

(ietly,(!. H 180376 

(;rant,Otto KsG 402 

Garver, B. S 282 

(iilbert, M. A 286 

tJaylord, E. B 301 

Gardner, F. O :}03 

Gehhart, J. B 5:03 

Gregory, E. P 318 

Gennng, Mr. & Mrs. C. B 335 

Hoffman, H.G 101 

Hill, D. J 152 39.S 

Hillyard, Wm. F ir>4 370 

Holmes, 11. J 173195 379 

Harrison, J. A 183 405 

Hartwiek, L. M 1&5 345 

Hyde, M. P 187 397 

Hoiik, T. G 220 

Huston, Mr. & Mrs. Adam 23n240 

Mr. &Mrs. O. E 241 

Haughey, Mr. & Mrs. W.H 242 243 



Haggerty, Mr. & Mrs. Isaac 251 

Hanson, Mr. & Mrs. John D 2.53 254 

Mr. and Mrs. J. D. S 255 256 

Hiles, Mr. & Mrs. Wm 310 

Hurley, H 323 

Hansen, Mr. & Mrs. Peter 343 344 

Hawley, C. A :i51 

Houghtaling, E. S 357 

Hoteliki.ss, E. H 365 

Heim, J. M 375 

Hinehen, D 389 

Harter, H 391 

Hodges, H. L 391 

Harpster,H. W 392 

Hartwiek, W. M 403 

Imus,G. W 131164321 

JonesT.T 158204 348 

Jenks, Ira 252 

Jensen, Mr. & Mrs. CM 258 

Jackson, A 276 

Johnson, C. K 334 

L. E 337 

Jay, C. W 385 

Kelly, Thos 325 

Knapp,B.C 401 

Littlejohn, Judge F. J 36, 108 223 

Lamont, Capt. Chas 107 319 

Lewis, W.F 178 309 

Lewis, Amos 220 

Leak, John 274 

Linsday, J. 1) 301 

Lewis, S. E 30G 

Landon,T. P 341 

Lewis, C. F 376 

Lee, J 408 

Mugtord, Mr. & Mrs. E. T. .143 167 177 247 

Myers, Geo.C 146 277 

McKinncm, A. R 169 311 

Myers, F. M 184 331 

Morin, Thomas 187 349 

Munson, Mr. & Mrs. John 245 

McMillan, Wm 290 

Marsh, Mr. & Mrs. H. J 299 

Moore,J.H 324 

Moore, A. Z 353 

McClure, C.E 3.i9 

d". E 3tiO 

Marsh, O.W 365 

Moore, B 369 

Merril, Mr. & Mrs. W. E 395 

Matthews, W. 11 410 

Mitchell, L.B 411 

Nielsen. Fred 171292 

N ickerson, E 205 297 

Noble, C. A 312 

Newman, F. W 309 

Oceana Co. Savings Bank 120 

O'Hanlon, Mrs. J 244 



432 



OCEANA COUNTY PIONKERS 



Olinder, Mr. & Mrs. W. A 248 

Oakes,D.C 404 

Pay-baw-me School House 60 

Palmiter, J. L C6 

Pentvvater News Block 126 

Philo, J. E 1 55 302 

Peck,E.O 202317 

Phillips, Mr. & Mrs. Thos 232 23t 

Popkey,F.W 267 

Priiigle, A. M 274 

Peterson, A. P 280 

Perkins, Mr. & Mrs. M. S 336 

Peck, F. L 389 

Paton, A 399 

Ratzel, F. W 125 

Rice, Mark A 130 326 

Richards, Dave 139 

Randall, E. S 162 405 

Richmond, E. D 166 257 

Rathhone, C. P 179 281 

Reamer, F. E 183 387 

Rutherford, L. G 192 

Russell, F.J 225 263 

Mr. & Mrs. H. E 249 250 

Randall, A. C 256 

Russell, Mr. & Mrs. Josiah 202 

Rouse, Jane E 271 

Runner, J. W 285 

" J.M 286 

Rounds, W.A 288 

Rohinson, J. W 307 

Rolph, W. and B 326 

Ross, Raymond 372 

Rankin. D. H 383 

Rankin, DS 337 

Richmond, Ira A 488 

Rhodes, George 403 

Sands & Maxwell's Store 94 

Switzer.G. O 130 186 399 

Shirts, W.H 135 363 

Schaner, Joseph, Residence 147 

Serfling, C 160 289 

Servis, H. J 175 392 

Stevens, C. B 175 396 

Sackrider, W. P 176 364 

Souter, Mr. and Mrs. A. E 181 367 368 

Slater, J. H .194316 

Sayles, H. S 275 



Sayles, W. N 275 

Spellman,S 230 

Schaner, M r. & Mrs. J 327 328 

sabin, R 330 

Shirts, E.J 338 

Southwick, R. E 371 

Sage, Mr. & Mrs. H 377 378 

Stone, B. F 401 

Scott,F.A 401 

Stone, 0. W 407 

Smith, F 408 

Thorp, W. E 142 166 193371 

Taylor, L. L., Residence 153 

Tower, Mr. & Mrs. II 236 237 

Tuttle,Mrs.W 306 

Tyler, J 314 

Tennant, W. J 337 

Taylor, Mr. & Mrs. L. L 339 :341 

Tuller, W. H 361 

Tullar,C.H 403 

Thomas, A. L 406 

Tillotsou, J. A 409 

Underhill, C. M 188 293 

Underbill, A. J 205 268 

Yauglian, Wm 295 

Wright, J 135 304 

Woodward, G. W 137 198 347 

Woodwoi th, C. A 163 285 

Wickham, D.C 171 195 343 

White, O. K 179 219259 

" Mrs. O. K 260 

Woodland, William 1 8o 356 

Wiswell, O 202 327 

Wigton, Mrs. C 265 

Webb, William 271 

Williamson, J 289 

Whittington, C. R 296 

Westbrook, J 314 

Walker, F 319 

Wright, E. A 322 

Weyant, J. A 333 

Wyckofl, G 346 

Widoe, J. F 355 

Wanmer, R. V 374 

Wilson, Mr. & Mrs. F. W 380 

Wickham, O. F 4oO 

Young, F. E 394 



306 90 







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